Nishka Srinivas Veluvali –
Published On: December 08, 2021 at 19:20 IST
On 7 December Tuesday, the Bombay High Court ordered the State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray to solve the “long-standing issue” of the Uran Dump Yard. Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla and Justice Milind Jadhav stated that “We want the state environment minister to intervene and sort it out.”
The Petition was filed by Hanuman Koliwada Macchimar Vikas Maryadit in December 2018 asserting that the waste dumping in the mangroves is impacting the fish breeding grounds.
Advocate Meenaz Kakalia appearing for the Petitioner informed the Court that approximately two metric tons of wastes are dumped daily on the mangroves. Mahendra Kalyankar (Raigad Collector) along with UMC Chief and MPCB member secretary was also present during the hearing.
Kalyankar told the Court that he would visit the place and hold a meeting. “Enough of meetings in these last three years. Learn to Act”, the Court responded to Kalyankar. The Chief Officer when questioned, sought time from the Court he would address all the queries. “He has come from Uran to say after a week I will answer all the Court’s queries”, Justice Kathawalla responded.
Bombay High Court stated that “Our blood boils. These people are not bothered. Why should we not conclude that your administration failed? If a developer comes with crores of rupees for land, lands are available. When land is required for public purposes, you do not have any.”
The Bench had directed AG to hold a meeting with the State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray to solve this issue that has been coming to the table for three years now.