Mon Dec 15 22:05:45 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mumbai Air Quality Crisis: High Court Demands Urgent Action Plan

MUMBAI, INDIA – December 16, 2025 – The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concerns over the rapidly deteriorating air quality in Mumbai and has directed authorities to submit a comprehensive action plan to address the crisis. Citing alarming evidence of “highly toxic” air at multiple sites, the court, led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, emphasized the urgent need for solutions, stating, “We have to find a solution, we can’t be living like this.”

The court’s intervention follows a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and revelations from a committee formed to inspect pollution levels. Inspections conducted since December 6, 2025, have revealed dangerous air quality, particularly around Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) submitted an affidavit detailing measures taken to mitigate pollution. These include monitoring construction sites, issuing “Stop Work Notices” for violations, and mandating cleaner fuel usage for bakeries. The BMC also reported ongoing efforts to wash roads, operate misting machines, and implement long-term monitoring projects in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and IITM Pune.

Despite these efforts, concerns remain regarding the slow pace of implementation and the human impact of the pollution. A lawyer presented to the court the case of a one-year-old child whose lungs are failing to develop due to the city’s polluted air.

The court will continue to monitor compliance and review the action plan at the next hearing. They have stressed the need for immediate action, particularly in controlling dust pollution at construction sites. The court had previously appointed an independent committee to inspect sites and submit findings by December 15th.

Senior advocate Darius Khambata, acting as amicus curiae, highlighted the slow progress of sensor installation at construction sites, warning against “knee-jerk reactions” and emphasizing the need for sustained and effective measures.

Read More