'Don't blame Ethiopian volcanic ash': Court raps Maharashtra over pollution
What's the story
The Bombay High Court has rejected the Maharashtra government's explanation for the declining air quality in Mumbai and other cities. The state had attributed the pollution to volcanic ash clouds from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted on November 23. However, Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad noted that visibility in Mumbai was poor even before this event.
Pollution response
Court questions state's pollution control measures
Advocate Jyoti Chavan, representing Maharashtra, had argued that volcanic ash worsened the air quality in Mumbai, pushing the AQI beyond 300. However, Chief Justice Chandrashekhar refuted this claim, saying, "No, no... that was only two days ago. Even before that, we couldn't see beyond 500 meters." The court was hearing a suo motu petition on rising pollution levels in Mumbai. During the hearing, amicus curiae Dairus Khambata pointed out that AQI readings have now crossed 300 from around 200 earlier.
Pollution measures
Court examines effectiveness of pollution control measures
Senior advocate Janak Dwarkadas, representing NGO Vanshakti, called for immediate court intervention. The court observed that existing pollution control measures had failed to improve air quality. Chief Justice Chandrashekhar asked Khambata and Dwarkadas what effective measures could be taken, also suggesting an examination of Delhi's winter pollution strategies. "You tell us what measures could be taken. What could be the most effective measures?" the chief justice asked Khambata and Dwarkadas.
Pollution action
BMC directed to take concrete steps against pollution
Thereafter, the court asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take concrete steps to control pollution levels even as advocate Milind Sathe said some measures were already in place. The BMC has said it will invoke GRAP IV if the AQI doesn't drop below 300 for three consecutive days. This includes shutting down construction sites, a major contributor to Mumbai's pollution load.