Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, May 8: The Bombay High Court on Thursday sharply criticised the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) over recurring foul odour complaints from the Kanjurmarg dumping ground affecting residents of Mumbai’s eastern suburbs.
A division bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe questioned the authorities over a sudden spike in the stench and sought a detailed explanation regarding activities being carried out at the landfill site.
“We have been making inquiries for the past four to five days. There was no odour, but suddenly it happened today. What happened at the site yesterday? You have to answer,” the bench observed during the hearing.
The court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by residents of eastern suburbs, along with environmental organisation Vanashakti, challenging the continued dumping of municipal solid waste at the Kanjurmarg landfill and raising concerns about persistent pollution and foul smell in surrounding areas.
Advocate Abhijeet P. Rane, appearing for residents of Kannamwar Cooperative Housing Society in Vikhroli, informed the court that residents experienced an “unbearable odour” on Thursday morning which reportedly spread up to two kilometres from the dumping site.
According to the petitioners, the stench affected several areas including Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli, Bhandup and Mulund, especially during nighttime.
Rane also told the court that despite contacting the landfill helpline, residents were asked to complete lengthy complaint formalities, which he argued was impractical during emergency situations. He urged authorities to introduce a simpler and more citizen-friendly grievance mechanism.
The bench noted that although conditions had improved in recent days, the sudden return of the odour raised serious questions.
“It happens for certain reasons. You are completely aware of it, but it’s not coming out,” the court remarked while expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of clear answers from authorities.
The High Court further stressed the health risks posed by methane emissions at the landfill, particularly for workers stationed at the site.
“They’ll be the first to be affected. Occupational hazards and diseases for these kinds of exposures are very serious,” the bench observed.
The court reiterated earlier concerns raised in April regarding methane emissions, describing the gas as more harmful than carbon dioxide and directing authorities to conduct daily monitoring and mitigation measures.
The bench also directed that ambient air quality monitoring and a comprehensive pollution analysis study be carried out around the landfill area.
Criticising the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for alleged inaction, the court questioned the agency’s role in monitoring pollution levels.
“What does the pollution control board do? This should be your primary responsibility,” the bench said, directing MPCB to appoint a committee to investigate the issue.
The state government has now been asked to submit details regarding the activities at the dumping ground that may have triggered the latest foul odour episode.