Ex-SC Judge to Head Panel Tackling Mumbai Smog

The Bombay High Court has established a high-powered committee (HPC) to address Mumbai's persistent air pollution. This committee, to be led by a former Supreme Court Judge, will oversee compliance with directives aimed at reducing air pollution in Mumbai and surrounding areas. The court observed that air pollution levels in the city have not decreased and expressed concern over insufficient monitoring by civic authorities. This initiative follows a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed to tackle the escalating air quality issues impacting residents, including children and infants.

The HPC's formation acknowledges the court's inability to individually scrutinize all submitted affidavits and reports. Its mandate includes continuous and daily meetings to provide recommendations and ensure that steps taken by concerned authorities yield tangible results in pollution reduction. The court emphasized that while authorities might be taking steps, the desired outcome of decreased pollution is not being achieved.

Civic bodies, including BMC and NMMC, are directed to provide necessary support, space, and compensation to the panel members. The High Court noted a lack of reflection on expert panel reports by civic bodies and insufficient inspection of construction sites, which are significant contributors to air pollution. The court stressed the need for people to breathe pure air, even while acknowledging the efforts of the civic bodies.