The Bombay High Court on Thursday announced its decision to constitute a high-powered committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge to monitor and ensure compliance with air pollution control measures in Mumbai and adjoining areas. The court observed that the efforts made so far by the state government, municipal corporations, and pollution control bodies have failed to bring visible improvement.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar stressed that the move was not intended as criticism, but to guarantee that “people should live in pure air.”
The court had taken suo motu cognizance of deteriorating air quality in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in October 2023. At that time, it noted that pollution levels fluctuated from “good” to “severe,” prompting a series of directions on November 6, 2023, recommending short, medium, and long-term actions.
However, reviewing compliance since then, the bench said it was dissatisfied with the steps taken by the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
Criticising the MPCB for merely “sailing on its affidavits,” the court said that while the board and civic bodies might have initiated some measures on paper, their impact on air quality remains negligible. In fact, pollution in Mumbai was reported to be “very severe” in December 2025.
“We have apprised ourselves of the previous orders, and find that compliances so far made by the corporations and MPCB are not sufficient and satisfactory,” the bench stated. It added that due to the volume of affidavits and reports and limited time available to the court, an external mechanism was necessary.
The upcoming committee will be tasked with monitoring the implementation of air quality control measures across MMR and ensuring accountability. The court said the committee should meet daily and must be provided with all necessary logistical support.
The bench also took note of a suggestion regarding compensating citizens affected by pollution. When Navi Mumbai’s civic counsel argued that statutory bodies already exist for such issues, the court responded: “Maybe there are statutory bodies formed in Maharashtra, but then we have not come across any suggestion or action taken by such a body in the present proceedings.”
Indicating that the new committee may be vested with certain statutory powers, the court said it was inclined to empower the panel to make the process effective.
The names of the committee members, including the former SC judge who will chair it, are expected to be finalized in the written order.
