Court Says Citizens Share Responsibility, Not Just BMC, for Monsoon Flooding
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday observed that Mumbai’s recurring monsoon flooding cannot be attributed solely to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), stating that widespread encroachments and the blockage of drainage systems by citizens have significantly contributed to the city’s waterlogging problems.
A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad made the observations while hearing a petition concerning the widening of the Sion-Trombay Road near Mandala village in Mankhurd.
‘Flooding Is a Result of Our Own Actions’
During the hearing, the Bench remarked that chronic waterlogging during the monsoon is a consequence of unchecked encroachments and poor civic practices. The judges noted that while the BMC constructs roads, footpaths and drainage infrastructure, illegal occupations and indiscriminate dumping of waste into stormwater drains reduce their effectiveness.
The court also pointed to encroachments around the High Court precinct in south Mumbai, observing that footpaths have been occupied by vendors and small establishments, forcing pedestrians onto roads.
Court Questions Opposition to Demolition Drives
The Bench further criticised the tendency to oppose demolition drives after illegally occupying public land. It observed that legal safeguards are often invoked only after unauthorised structures face removal, while statutory provisions are ignored at the time of encroachment.
According to the court, unless such illegal occupations and blocked drainage systems are addressed, Mumbai will continue to experience severe waterlogging during every monsoon.
Road-Widening Project Under Review
The observations came during proceedings related to the proposed expansion of the Sion-Trombay Road. Representing the BMC, senior advocate Milind Sathe informed the court that the civic body had already removed encroachments, felled around 192 trees and widened part of the road to 30 feet.
He submitted that the remaining stretch could only be widened to the proposed 50 feet if land under the control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), near the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), is made available.
The High Court has issued a notice to the DAE seeking its response on the matter and will hear the case again at a later date.
