The Bombay High Court has sharply criticised civic authorities and private operators over persistent odour pollution from the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, warning that administrative inaction is endangering public health and violating citizens’ fundamental rights. Directing immediate implementation of scientific mitigation measures, the court underscored that waste management failures cannot be normalised in a city already burdened by environmental stress.
Hearing petitions related to severe stench affecting surrounding residential areas, the court observed that creating essential urban facilities such as landfills carries an equally essential duty to comply with environmental safeguards. Any lapse, the judges noted, directly affects quality of life and public safety, particularly for communities living in close proximity to waste processing sites. In strong remarks, the bench reiterated that the right to breathe clean air flows directly from the constitutional right to life. “Public authorities cannot treat environmental protection as a procedural formality,” the court said, adding that half-measures and delayed responses amount to systemic neglect rather than governance.
The judges directed that all short-term odour control measures recommended by a state-appointed committee be implemented without delay. They also ordered the formation of an independent expert monitoring committee to ensure sustained oversight, stressing that technical supervision must replace ad-hoc administrative responses. The committee monitoring conditions at another major landfill was instructed to inspect Kanjurmarg and submit findings within a week. A central element of the court’s concern was the apparent absence of accountability for repeated violations. Emphasising the “polluter pays” principle, the bench questioned why contractors responsible for operating waste facilities had not been penalised despite recurring complaints. Even minor breaches, the judges said, must attract consequences to deter negligence and enforce environmental discipline.
In its response, the state government outlined a series of measures aimed at controlling odour emissions. These include spraying bio-enzymes at the landfill and on garbage transport vehicles, improving soil coverage of inactive waste cells, deploying additional misting cannons with finer spray mechanisms and strengthening complaint redressal through mobile monitoring units. Officials also proposed increasing deodorant application during winter evenings, when stagnant air tends to trap odours. The government further informed the court that it is exploring an experimental mechanised waste covering system, which would be imported and deployed over the coming months. However, the judges cautioned against relying solely on future solutions, making it clear that immediate relief for residents must take priority.
Environmental experts say the case highlights a deeper challenge facing Indian cities: the disconnect between rapid urbanisation and sustainable waste management. “Landfills cannot be treated as invisible backyards. Scientific operations, transparency and community accountability are non-negotiable,” an urban environment specialist noted. As Mumbai grapples with land scarcity and rising waste generation, the court’s intervention sends a clear signal that urban development cannot come at the cost of public health. The ruling reinforces the need for cities to transition towards decentralised waste processing, strict contractor accountability and data-driven environmental governance—key pillars of an equitable and liveable urban future.
Bombay HC Pulls Up Authorities Over Kanjurmarg Dumping Ground Stench Orders Urgent Scientific Action
