The Bombay High Court has extended by 21 months the deadline for relocating the Govandi Common Bio-Medical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF) outside city limits, while imposing a Rs 2 lakh payment to a city-based school for blind children. The move comes as the operator cited infrastructural delays at the new Jambivali site in Ambernath, which have hindered the establishment of the modernised facility.
The extension, granted by a bench comprising the Chief Justice and another sitting judge, was in response to a plea from SMS Envoclean Pvt Ltd, which runs the existing Govandi unit. Officials explained that the company had secured all statutory approvals but faced delays in road connectivity, electricity, and water supply at the Jambivali Industrial Area. Originally, the high court in 2023 directed the operator to move the facility within two years to reduce health risks posed to residents by the existing incinerator. While the initial relocation plan targeted Patalganga, authorities later approved the Jambivali Industrial Area due to its lower population density and suitability for bio-medical waste management.
Officials noted that the extension balances the operator’s operational challenges with accountability measures. “The delay in establishing the facility is attributed to ongoing infrastructure development at the site, which is beyond the applicant company’s control,” a court official observed. Simultaneously, the Rs 2 lakh payment to the school has been mandated as a measure of public responsibility for the delay, ensuring that social accountability accompanies operational concessions. The Govandi facility, operational since 2009, has long been a point of contention for local communities, with concerns over toxic emissions, air pollution, and adverse health impacts. Civic experts highlighted that relocating the facility to an industrially zoned area aligns with eco-friendly urban planning principles and reduces environmental and social risk to densely populated neighbourhoods.
Public interest advocates, representing Govandi residents, opposed the extension, emphasising the urgency of removing the facility to mitigate continued environmental hazards. However, the court maintained that the operator had demonstrated readiness and compliance, pending final infrastructure completion. Urban environmental experts suggest that relocation of bio-medical waste facilities outside dense residential zones is critical for sustainable city planning. They argue that such moves reduce urban pollution, enhance community health outcomes, and support a zero-carbon footprint approach in line with long-term civic sustainability goals.
The decision also reflects the high court’s approach to balancing operational feasibility with environmental and public health imperatives. Once operational at Jambivali, the new facility will adopt advanced waste treatment protocols, improving efficiency, safety, and compliance with national bio-medical waste management regulations. As the city monitors the relocation progress, authorities and urban planners emphasise that timely commissioning is essential to mitigate the long-term risks associated with the Govandi facility. The extension provides a pragmatic timeline while reinforcing civic and environmental accountability.
Bombay HC Grants 21 Month Extension For Govandi Bio Medical Waste Facility Relocation And Fine
