Bombay High Court Calls For Civic Accountability To Tackle Plastic Waste Crisis, Suggests Linking Ward Officers' ACRs To Cleanliness
The Bombay High Court has directed the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to formulate a comprehensive ward-wise cleanliness framework and consider linking the performance of Ward Officers in maintaining sanitation standards to their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs). The Court further observed that Mumbai's recurring plastic waste crisis, particularly garbage washed ashore during the monsoon, demands strict enforcement of municipal laws, technological monitoring, civic sensitisation and greater accountability of municipal officials.
A Division Bench of Justice G. S. Kulkarni and Justice Aarti Sathe was hearing a writ petition concerning environmental issues arising from the Kanjurmarg municipal solid waste processing facility and the larger problem of solid waste management in Mumbai. During the proceedings, the MCGM placed on record the Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Cleanliness and Sanitation Bye-Laws for BMC, 2025, submitting that the civic body had commenced their implementation.
The Court examined the bye-laws and, while appreciating the initiative, expressed concern over persistent dumping of garbage and plastic waste on roads, pavements, beaches, rivers, nalas and other water bodies, observing that plastic carried into the sea during the monsoon repeatedly washed back onto Mumbai's coastline, causing serious environmental damage.
The Bench observed that Ward Officers bear the primary responsibility for ensuring that every ward remains free from garbage and illegal dumping. Stressing that open nalas had become major dumping sites for plastic waste eventually reaching the sea, the Court directed the Municipal Commissioner to ensure that such drains are covered and appropriate measures are taken to prevent plastic from entering water bodies.
The Court also emphasised that strict implementation of municipal laws, imposition of deterrent penalties, use of CCTV cameras to identify offenders, prosecution for creating public nuisance, and large-scale civic awareness campaigns were necessary to address the problem at its source. The Court further observed that neither slum areas nor administrative arrangements with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority could justify failure to maintain public health and hygiene.
The Court directed the MCGM to prepare a comprehensive cleanliness scheme for every ward incorporating sanitation checklists, measurable performance indicators, periodic inspections, technological monitoring and maintenance of ward-wise cleanliness records. It observed that the Municipal Commissioner should consider reflecting compliance with these duties in the Annual Confidential Reports of Ward Officers and incentivising officials who achieve high standards of cleanliness.
The Court also suggested establishing ward-wise grievance redressal mechanisms, including mobile applications through which citizens could upload photographs of illegal garbage dumping for prompt action by municipal authorities.
The matter was adjourned for four weeks to enable the MCGM to file an affidavit detailing compliance with the Court's directions.
Case Title: Kannamwar Co-Op. Hsg. Soc. Association Ltd. v. Union of India [Writ Petition No. 790 of 2018]