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Mumbai – The Bombay High Court has taken a proactive stance on Mumbai’s worsening air quality, initiating a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to address the city’s escalating pollution crisis. The court has suggested a comprehensive study to assess the feasibility of phasing out diesel and petrol-diesel vehicles in favour of those powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electricity.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice GS Kulkarni directed the Maharashtra government to form a committee of experts, civil administrators, and traffic management authorities to undertake the study.
Find viable alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles!
– Bombay HC takes serious note of increasing pollution 🌆The HC has directed the Pollution Control Board to form a committee of experts and civic administrators and submit a report within three months
Why does the Court… pic.twitter.com/2FJp0ZoBkh
— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 17, 2025
This move underscores the court’s focus on finding long-term solutions to vehicular emissions, which are a significant contributor to the city’s air pollution.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the laxity of state and municipal authorities in adhering to previous directives, the court highlighted the alarming levels of air pollution caused by vehicle emissions, construction activities, and industrial operations. It emphasised that a clean and pollution-free environment is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
To tackle industrial pollution, the court ordered the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to expedite a delayed third-party audit of high-pollution “red-category” industries.
This audit must now be completed within two months. Furthermore, the state government has been instructed to approve a staffing proposal for 1,310 additional MPCB posts within four weeks to enhance the agency’s monitoring capacity.

Suggestions given by the court
1. Bakeries and similar establishments relying on wood and coal have been given six months to transition to greener fuels like CNG. Future licences for such units will only be granted if they adhere to green fuel standards.
2. No new approval will be given to bakeries or similar businesses running on coal or wood and new licenses should be issued after complying with the condition of using ‘green energy’.
Editorial PerspectiveWhy does the court have to tell this ? Why doesn’t the Pollution Control Board take action on its own ? |