NGT: Western Railway Mumbai DRM told to deposit 25% of Rs1.59 cr fine for Mahim station litter

Pune: National Green Tribunal bench in Pune has directed divisional railway manager (DRM) of Western Railway in Mumbai to deposit within six weeks 25% of Rs1.59 crore fine imposed by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board on the issue of littering Mahim railway station tracks.
The DRM's appeal to National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the ₹1,59,22,550 environmental compensation imposed by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) was admitted, with a notice sent to the board for a reply as well.
The appeal, challenging the MPCB's order dated Dec 9, 2024, argues that no clear justification was provided for imposing such a hefty fine. This appeal was filed against the imposition notified by MPCB in another application regarding the issue.
Consequently, the DRM sought the NGT's intervention, questioning the process followed in levying the penalty.
"We are of the view that considering the averments made and grounds raised in the memo of appeal, we admit this appeal, subject to deposit of 25% of the amount directed, by the impugned order, to be paid by the appellant with MPCB within a period of six weeks," said the bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Vijay Kulkarni.
The DRM's office informed the tribunal that the garbage found on the site in question was attributed to slum dwellers and not the railways, and hence, the EDC should not be levied on them. The matter has been slated for April 28, 2025.
The principal bench of the tribunal took suo-motu cognizance of a news item and initiated an enquiry into bad condition of railway tracks at Mahim Station due to accumulated garbage dumped by slum residents. The matter was then transferred to the western bench in Pune.
The western bench was informed by MPCB that during a site visit, it was observed that the main platform and junction were regularly cleaned; however, the side tracks were littered by nearby slum residents.
In view of the same, MPCB calculated a total environmental damage compensation of Rs.1,59,22,550 to be levied from DRM, Mumbai division.
The office of DRM also told MPCB on June 26, 2024, that the issue of garbage being thrown on the tracks was continuously faced in Mahim South and North yard and that there were huts from where the residents were throwing domestic waste on railway tracks. For cleaning of garbage, JCB is deployed, and the rest was being cleaned manually. Further, the Office of the Inspector Railway Protection Force (IRPF), Dadar, had registered cases under the Railway Act and was conducting awareness programs in Mahim (E) slum area.
The board also issued directions on July 15, 2024, to the Western Railway to indulge in proper solid waste management in the region.