Thane: Bombay High Court warns that it could bar all new constructions if illegal waste dumping by TMC not stopped

Mumbai: In what can spell trouble for the real estate sector in Thane, the Bombay High Court on Thursday warned of barring new construction in the neighbouring city. This comes after the HC learnt of ‘illegal’ dumping of waste near a residential area by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Pradeep Deshmukh heard a petition filed by villagers of Davale, who accused the TMC of dumping hundreds of tonnes of waste near their residential area, that too without treating it. The villagers also claimed the area on which the TMC dumped the waste fall under the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ).

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Advocate Sandesh Patil appearing for the villagers informed the judges that TMC has breached the 2009 judgement of the HC wherein the court had mandated disposal of waste at designated plots – dumping grounds. He apprised the judges of the fact that there are schools nearby the area on which the TMC is dumping the waste.

Patil also furnished some photographs which showed the TMC dumping waste on mangroves. Having heard the contentions and perusing the photos, Justice Oka said, “The photographs make it clear that trash is being dumped on mangroves. We prima facie find this act of the civic body to be illegal since the area in question is not designated for waste disposal.”

“It is the responsibility of the civic body to identify a designated plot and if it has not done so till date then let us clarify we will not at all hesitate to ban new constructions in Thane city,” Justice Oka added. Posting the matter for further hearing in next week, the judges have asked the TMC to spell out if it has identified any plot for dumping ground.