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Bombay High Court Constitutes High-Powered Panel to Monitor Mumbai Air-Pollution Compliance

The bench shifted to independent oversight after finding no measurable improvement in Mumbai’s air quality.

Overview

  • The court said air quality has not improved and was reported as very severe in December, calling past compliances by civic bodies and the MPCB insufficient.
  • A new committee has been set up to supervise and verify compliance by the BMC, NMMC and MPCB on mitigation measures across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
  • The panel will comprise a former Supreme Court judge and a former high court chief justice, assisted by a technical expert, with names to be finalized in a written order.
  • It will be empowered to issue directions in the form of recommendations, meet daily at first then fortnightly, and receive infrastructure and logistical support from authorities.
  • Judges flagged on-ground gaps including missing air-quality monitors at about 477 sites and minimal inspections by BMC squads, while existing technical committees will continue to provide inputs.