The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a stern reprimand to city authorities regarding the “dangerous” decline in Nagpur’s air quality. The court has demanded an immediate explanation for why critical recommendations from a joint report by NEERI and IIT Bombay, submitted in July 2024, have yet to be implemented.
Administrative Lapses and Missing Affidavits
During a hearing on Friday, Justices Anil Kilorey and Raj Wakode expressed sharp disapproval after several key respondents, including the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), failed to file necessary affidavits. The court has now directed the City Committee and Steering Committee to provide a full record of all meeting minutes to prove that the issue is being addressed.
The “Inactive” Pollution Panel
A major point of contention was the total inactivity of the Pollution Control Committee, established under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Despite a mandate for the committee—led by the District Collector and NMC Commissioner—to meet monthly, the court flagged a complete lack of progress.
Amicus curiae advocate Shantanu Khedkar informed the bench that while the NEERI-IIT Bombay report explicitly identified the primary threats, no remedial action has been taken on the issues like Unregulated Construction: Dust from ongoing projects across the city., Industrial Emissions: Pollution from surrounding industrial zones. and Vehicular Exhaust: Rising pollution from increasing traffic density.
The Human Cost
While the administration remains stagnant, the health of Nagpur’s citizens is at stake. The city has seen a significant spike in:
- Respiratory Illnesses
- Chronic Asthma
- Chest Infections
The High Court has made its stance clear: the administration must present a comprehensive compliance report at the next hearing. The court’s intervention highlights an urgent need for the city to move beyond “paper committees” and take measurable steps to protect public health.
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