The Bombay High Court has formed a five-member team to inspect construction sites and check violations of air pollution norms as Mumbai’s AQI continues to worsen. The panel has been directed to submit its report by December 15 with strict monitoring measures.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday took a serious note of the rising air pollution in Mumbai and directed the formation of a special five-member inspection team to closely examine the situation on the ground.
The court said that unchecked construction activities and increasing dust levels are major contributors to the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city and immediate intervention is necessary to protect public health.
The team will consist of one official each from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Health Department and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
The remaining two members will be from civil society, whose names were suggested by lawyers present during the court proceedings.
This panel has been instructed to inspect a specific area in Mumbai and submit a detailed report by December 15, clearly stating whether construction sites are following air pollution control norms and guidelines.
The direction came while the court was hearing a batch of petitions highlighting the alarming decline in Mumbai’s air quality.
Lawyers representing the petitioners informed the court that the AQI has been steadily deteriorating since 2023, creating serious environmental and health risks for residents.
In response, the court also asked the BMC and the MPCB to file a comprehensive report by December 15, explaining the steps taken over the last year to control and reduce air pollution across the city.
During the hearing, the bench acknowledged that tackling air pollution is a long-term challenge but expressed hope that Mumbai could achieve better results compared to other polluted cities if proper steps are enforced.
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The court observed,
“This will take some time. Delhi has been struggling since more than 15 years now. Mumbai, in fact, has some benefits. In Mumbai, it can be done,”
highlighting that Mumbai has certain advantages that can help in improving its air quality faster if action is taken sincerely.
Chief Justice Chandrashekhar further stressed that improving air quality requires continuous effort and strict monitoring.
He pointed out that while Delhi has been fighting pollution for years, Mumbai still has the opportunity to implement effective measures and prevent the situation from becoming unmanageable. He stated that better coordination and strict adherence to pollution control rules can bring visible improvements.
The court also demanded greater transparency from the BMC in its monitoring process. It sought clear details about inspections carried out by special squads and the installation of CCTV cameras and sensor-based air pollution monitoring systems at construction sites.
These steps, the court said, are important to ensure that builders and contractors actually follow the prescribed environmental norms instead of ignoring them.
Emphasising the urgent need to control dust pollution, the bench clearly stated,
“Let us ensure that construction sites and dust pollution are tackled. It can be done immediately in one to two weeks. That would be some effective measures,”
indicating that visible results can be achieved within a short period if guidelines are strictly followed.
Senior counsel Darius Khambata, who was appointed by the court to assist in the matter, informed the bench that the 2024 construction site guidelines are not being implemented uniformly across Mumbai.
These guidelines include measures such as regular water sprinkling, installation of sensors and CCTV cameras, and other dust control practices.
The court took note of this and observed that while vehicular pollution is also a serious issue, the immediate focus should remain on construction-related dust, which can be controlled more quickly.
The bench finally underlined that strict and honest implementation of existing guidelines can significantly reduce pollution levels within one to two weeks.
It reiterated that such prompt action can go a long way in improving the overall air quality of Mumbai and safeguarding the health of its citizens, especially in densely populated areas impacted by continuous construction activity.
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