2017 PIL up for hearing in light of trash washed ashore

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has expressed its concern over the high amount of trash being washed ashore in recent days and posted hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) on disposal of garbage and sewage on July 30. The petitioner informed the court that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had not complied with any earlier order directing proper disposal of garbage and sought urgent directions to the authorities to address the issue.

 A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagala was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO, ‘Citizen circle for Social Welfare and Education’ in the year 2017. On noticing the polluted water around the coastal area, the NGO complained to the court about the danger of it to the entire ecosystem and public at large.

“Around 12,000 tonnes of debris and garbage, thrown into the promenade during the high tide last week, has been cleared from Marine Drive by municipal workers,” said Shehzad Naqvi representing the petitioner. Mr Naqvi told the HC that authorities are ideally supposed to discharge the garbage or debris into sea at a farther distance from the coastline.

The court noted that the petition raises important issues and an urgent hearing was required. The bench then posted the PIL for hearing on July 30.

While speaking to The Asian Age, Mr Naqvi said that a year ago Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had filed its affidavit alleging BMC of improperly disposing trash and debris in the sea, however, BMC have not filed any affidavit against it yet.