The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has intervened, directing the formation of a high-level committee to address the pressing matter. The tribunal’s decision comes in the wake of prolonged discord between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Aarey Milk Colony over the responsibility for clearing debris along the Mithi River, exacerbated by the lack of adherence to previous directives.
Comprising key stakeholders including the chief secretary of Maharashtra, representatives from the BMC, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Urban Development Department, Aarey Milk Colony, and environmental experts from institutions such as NEERI and IIT Bombay, the committee has been entrusted with the formidable task of devising a comprehensive action plan within a month. With the onset of monsoon looming, the urgency to mitigate environmental risks associated with the accumulation of debris along the riverbank is paramount. The genesis of this latest directive traces back to a previous NGT order dated July 7, 2023, mandating the BMC to initiate debris clearance in Aarey, a directive that was regrettably disregarded. The BMC, in its defence, cited jurisdictional complexities, contending that Aarey Milk Colony retains ownership of the land where debris has been unlawfully deposited, absolving itself of responsibility. Attempts to rescind the order in August further underscored the bureaucratic impasse plaguing effective resolution.
The burgeoning mound of debris, towering 25-metre-high and spanning 850 metre in length with a width of 80 metres, represents an environmental hazard fraught with repercussions. Beyond its deleterious impact on the ecosystem, the accumulation poses a grave threat of pollutant leaching into the river during inclement weather conditions, exacerbating ecological degradation. While acknowledging the BMC’s obligation under the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, to ensure proper disposal of debris, the Aarey Milk Colony concedes ownership but asserts a lack of resources and manpower to execute clearance operations effectively. Coinciding with the NGT directive, activist Stalin has brought to light yet another instance of debris dumping along the JVLR road, underscoring the systemic challenges plaguing waste management in the region. As stakeholders converge to confront the multifaceted challenges posed by the Aarey debris crisis, the NGT’s intervention serves as a clarion call for concerted action, underscoring the imperative of collaborative governance and sustainable waste management practices in safeguarding India’s environmental heritage.
