Bombay High Court Pulls Up Mumbai, Navi Mumbai Civic Bodies Over Inaction on Air Pollution; Orders Salary Freeze of Navi Mumbai Commissioner

Mumbai, 23rd January 2026: Expressing strong displeasure over the failure of civic authorities to proactively address worsening air pollution, the Bombay High Court on Friday sharply criticised the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations for acting only after judicial intervention.

Taking a strict stance on non-compliance, the court directed that the salary of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner be withheld until further orders, citing his failure to file a personal affidavit detailing steps taken to control air pollution, despite clear directions from the court. The bench also indicated that similar action could be initiated against the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner later in the day.

The court’s observations followed the submission of a report by a court-appointed committee, which inspected 36 pollution-sensitive locations across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The report flagged violations of air pollution control norms at every inspected site, raising serious concerns about enforcement and monitoring by civic authorities.

In response to the committee’s findings, the High Court had earlier instructed both municipal commissioners to submit personal affidavits, providing point-wise responses to the report and outlining concrete measures being undertaken to mitigate air pollution.

While an affidavit was submitted on behalf of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation claiming inspections at 11 locations, the court noted that it lacked sufficient details. Crucially, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner failed to submit the mandated personal affidavit, which the bench said reflected a lack of seriousness towards the issue.

The court observed that such non-compliance could not be taken lightly, given the public health implications of air pollution, and ordered the withholding of the commissioner’s salary as a corrective measure.

The bench further stated that it was considering passing a similar order against the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner for comparable lapses. Additionally, both civic bodies have been directed to submit monthly compliance reports until September, after which the court will pass a consolidated order on the issue.