Stop illegal dumping of garbage: HC to Maha govt

Irked over the inaction of Maharashtra government in implementation of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, the Bombay High Court today directed the government to stop illegal dumping with immediate effect.
A division bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and A P Bhangale was hearing a bunch of petitions seeking directions to government for implementation of the rules and closure of dumping sites within the city limits.
The bench directed the Secretary of the state Urban Development Department to find out where municipal corporations across the state were dumping garbage and if it was being done on plots not reserved as dumping grounds.

The secretary has also been asked to issue instructions to all civic bodies to stop illegal dumping.
The court has directed for an affidavit to be filed within a week on the number of garbage dumping sites, number of sites reserved and earmarked specifically for dumping waste.
The court also sought to know why no action was taken by the government in the past.
The court had earlier directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to conduct site inspections and submit a report if dumping sites in the city and Navi Mumbai comply with the Rules.
The matter will now be heard on March 19.