MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Friday issued notices to the state government, seeking implementation of the odd-even rule in Mumbai.

Hearing a PIL filed by city resident Shadab Patel about rising levels of pollution and traffic congestion, a division bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice Revati Dere expressed concern over Mumbai’s receding “green cover”. The court pointed to the recent floods in Chennai that should serve as a warning. The judges said that while the HC had passed an order to tackle traffic congestion and indiscipline, the implementation was found wanting.

The PIL urged the HC to order the state to take preventive steps like in Delhi. The petition said citizens are facing health problems due to increasing air pollution, mainly caused by carbon monoxide emitted by vehicles and from burning of solid waste by the BMC in violation of rules. The petition said that Mumbai, which has fewer vehicles than Delhi, tops in vehicular emission due to congested roads, no space to expand due to the sea and rising number of diesel vehicles.

There are over 24 lakh vehicles in Mumbai and more recent data of last September states that there were over 26 lakh vehicles on city roads. The PIL said that over 80% vehicles on the road are private. While Delhi recorded an air quality index of around 360, Mumbai was close with around 191 on some days.

Besides the odd-even rules, the petitioner has asked the HC to form a panel to suggest ways to tackle air pollution and order the state to frame rules for sale of vehicles using diesel engines.

The state had earlier told the HC in another petition that the odd-even rule was “not feasible” in Mumbai, a view that was recently reiterated by the government.

JNPT gets nod for mangrove removal

The Bombay high court has given a go-ahead for removal of mangroves on 19.5 hectares at JNPT to develop the fourth berthing station, provided it gets permission from the forest department and other authorities. JNPT will have to implement many conditions, including carrying out afforestation and replanting of mangroves at another location



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