The Bombay High Court has taken a strong step to address Mumbai’s worsening air quality by launching a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to tackle the city’s growing pollution problem.
The court has recommended a thorough study to explore the possibility of replacing diesel and petrol-diesel vehicles with alternatives powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or electricity.
A bench led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice GS Kulkarni has directed the Maharashtra government to establish a committee of experts, civil officials, and traffic management authorities to conduct this study. This move reflects the court’s commitment to finding long-term solutions to vehicle emissions, a major contributor to Mumbai’s air pollution.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state and municipal authorities’ failure to follow through on previous orders. It emphasized the severe air pollution caused by vehicle emissions, construction activities, and industrial operations. The court reminded authorities that a clean environment is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
To address industrial pollution, the court ordered the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to fast-track a delayed audit of high-pollution “red-category” industries. The audit, which was previously delayed, must now be completed within two months. Additionally, the state government has been instructed to approve a proposal for 1,310 new MPCB positions within four weeks to strengthen monitoring efforts.
Recognizing the importance of reducing vehicular emissions, the court called for better traffic management, especially on major roads like the Western and Eastern Express Highways.
The court has also instructed municipal authorities to implement measures such as using water sprinklers at construction sites and enforcing stricter pollution control standards to reduce dust pollution.
Small and medium-sized industries, which often lack proper pollution control measures, have been ordered to comply with stricter regulations or face penalties, including potential shutdowns.
Businesses like bakeries that rely on wood and coal for fuel have been given six months to switch to greener alternatives such as CNG. Future licenses for these businesses will only be issued if they meet the new green fuel requirements.
These directives aim to reduce health risks for the over 21 million residents of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and address the region’s environmental challenges. The court has warned that failure to take action will lead to serious consequences and will review the progress of these measures at its next hearing, set for February 13, 2025.
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