Mumbai: An expert committee had made recommendations to reduce air pollution in Mumbai. The committee also made some recommendations to reduce air pollution caused by traffic. So, what action has been taken to reduce air pollution caused by traffic? The High Court has asked this question to the state government as well as authorities related to traffic management. Also, the action report has been ordered to be submitted at the next hearing.
Taking serious notice of air pollution in Mumbai, a special bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Girish Kulkarni filed a PIL on its own in this matter. Also, a committee consisting of experts in the field of environment especially air pollution, experts in air pollution from IIT Bombay and retired Principal Secretary has been formed to suggest recommendations to reduce air pollution. The committee submitted a report with recommendations to reduce air pollution. The bench took cognizance of the recommendations of this report and passed the above order.
In the traffic-related recommendations, concerned planning authorities have been asked to explore the option of barrier-free toll along the lines of Atal Setu. The tender position of the toll collection company may be checked regarding the maximum length of traffic on toll for exemption from toll. The report said to direct the MMRDC to implement this recommendation. Also, the committee has also recommended to identify the traffic congestion spots in Mumbai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region and implement appropriate measures for the traffic congestion problem.
The court took cognizance of these recommendations. Also, the bench headed by the Chief Justice asked the state government what measures are being taken to implement the recommendations made by the committee mainly to reduce air pollution caused by traffic. Also, ordered to submit the details in this regard.
Meanwhile, the High Court ordered the State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to conduct a physical inspection of all industrial projects in Mumbai that are responsible for air pollution. MPCB was also given six months for this. Meanwhile, the court expressed displeasure that instead of more than seven thousand most polluting industrial projects, only 191 industrial projects were inspected in the last three months and that too was not done properly. Also, it has been asked why these industries were not directly inspected and an explanation has been ordered.
