The Bombay High Court on Friday issued a stern warning to the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), stating it may order the immediate closure of the Kanjurmarg dumping ground. Slamming the authorities for their “casual approach” toward environmental pollution and public health, the court emphasized that the mismanagement of the site potentially constitutes a violation of the fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
A division bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe was hearing a cluster of petitions filed by local residents. The petitioners raised serious concerns regarding the persistent foul odor, hazardous gas emissions, and escalating health risks faced by those living in the vicinity of the suburban dumping ground.
During the proceedings, the bench expressed deep dissatisfaction with how the state and civic body have handled waste management at the site over the years.
“It is high time that we value human lives. We will pass a detailed order… There would be no alternative but to stop this dumping site,” the court remarked.
The bench further warned that if a violation of Article 21 is established due to the authorities’ negligence, strict legal action would follow. Terming the site as the “worst dumping ground,” the judges noted that decades of temporary measures have failed to yield any tangible results for the citizens.
The court specifically highlighted the dangers of methane ($CH_4$) emissions from the landfill, noting that the gas is significantly more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).
The bench observed that the long-term ill effects of such emissions—resulting directly from the mismanagement by authorities—remain largely unknown. Consequently, the court directed the government and the BMC to:
- Study existing scientific research on landfill emissions.
- Adopt modern, scientific mitigation measures to curb pollution.
- Submit detailed affidavits outlining the specific steps taken to address these concerns.
The Maharashtra government and the BMC are required to submit their responses before the next hearing. The court has posted the matter for further consideration on Monday.
