Bombay High Court Seeks Ruthless Action Against Garbage, Questions Civic Sense
The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take strict, 'ruthless' action against the dumping of garbage on streets, highways and beaches across Mumbai. The court also questioned whether citizens were living in a 'civilised society' if such filth was the price of liberty and democracy.
A division bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Aarti A Sathe was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the Kanjurmarg dumping site, which the court noted was 'intricately connected' with the issue of garbage on city roads. The court observed that overflowing bins and garbage piles near heritage sites in South Mumbai and suburban areas were causing nuisance and posing health hazards, especially during the monsoon.
The bench remarked that it was 'impossible to believe' that tourists visiting the city from around the world were forced to cover their noses due to garbage trucks stationed near heritage locations. The court also expressed concern over plastic waste on beaches, including Juhu, Mahim and Dadar Chowpatty, and asked the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to address the issue.
'All beaches including Juhu, Mahim and Dadar Chowpatty are being flooded with plastic every year... Whatever is coming on the shores is only miniscule. Are we living in a civilised society?' the bench observed orally.
The court noted that citizens often follow cleanliness rules when visiting other countries but neglect their own surroundings. 'Here they want to throw it away. This is the price of liberty and democracy?' the bench remarked, adding that citizens have a fundamental duty to maintain cleanliness if they want a clean environment.
The High Court also criticised municipal officers, saying they lacked a sense of belonging and were least bothered about ward-level issues. 'The ward officers have no sense of belonging to the city... they sit in their air-conditioned offices and there is no consciousness. So, before citizens, the sensitisation has to begin with the officers and the machinery,' the bench remarked.
The court referred to the 'total mismanagement' in handling waste, noting that a large number of municipal trucks carrying garbage were stationed close to heritage sites such as the Rajabai Tower, High Court premises and city civil court. It observed that a booth or chowki for garbage vehicles was set up at a heritage site frequented by tourists, forcing visitors to endure filth and odour. 'All foreigners coming to the area put handkerchiefs on their noses. Unless we judicially take notice and pass orders, no action is taken,' Justice Kulkarni remarked orally.
The court also drew attention to the Horniman Circle in the Fort area, where a huge waste disposal bin was kept, leaving the entire area full of trash and odour. Expressing surprise that no action was taken despite several complaints, the bench directed ward officers to address the issue within seven days, failing which it would pass appropriate orders against them.
Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, appearing for the BMC, assured the court that immediate steps would be taken by ward officers. The bench also said municipal officers could seek police assistance if required while carrying out cleanliness drives. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on August 12.
