HC asks state to crack the whip on Mithi pollutants

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued orders to the state government to take immediate action against all commercial and industrial units around the Mithi river within the next four weeks.

The bench, headed by chief justice Dalveer Bhandari and justice S J Lajifdar, quipped: "Is it the Mithi River or Mithi Nullah?" Further, the court asked the state advocate general, Ravi Kadam, what the state and civic authorities had done to protect the river.

As per the directive of the court, petitioner Kirit Somaiya submitted the 'Mithi River Action Plan' to it. The action plan suggested implementation of short-term clean-up measures within two weeks.

It has also suggested measures for the implementation of the second phase of its plans within six months. The plan also stated that long-term measures for rehabilitation and desilting could be completed within 18 months.

The court issued orders to identify and shut down all illegal and unlicensed commercial units that have come up on the banks of the river and take appropriate action against the offenders.

The court further directed that steps be taken to check the daily discharge of wastes and effluents into the river. Offenders, in this case, would be prosecuted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the Water (Prevention and Contol of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Moreover, no new licence is to be used without the consent of the HC. The court also clarified that no new licences would be issued for industrial activity on the banks of the river.

Arguing on behalf of the petitioner, advocate Janak Dwarkadas urged the court to direct the state to implement the short-term measures of the action plan immediately. The court has asked the BMC and the State Pollution Control Board to implement the short-term measures within 24 days.