Maharashtra
Legal Action on Dharavi Rehab Project
- 25 Apr 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
A legal notice has been sent to the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, demanding cancellation of the cabinet decision to hand over Deonar dumping ground for the Dharavi rehab project, citing violation of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines.
Key Points
- About Dumping Ground:
- The State government has decided to hand over 124 acres of Deonar dumping ground for the Dharavi Rehabilitation Project (DRP).
- The Mulund dumping ground is also being considered for inclusion in the DRP.
- Environmental and Legal Concerns:
- Mulund-based activist issued a legal notice opposing the decision.
- He flagged serious environmental risks highlighting that high-rises built on rotting mixed waste at Deonar and Mulund generate methane, which causes 21 times more global warming than Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).
- He pointed out that these sites also produce leachate, a toxic liquid that pollutes groundwater, making them unsuitable for residential construction.
- Active Methane-Emitting Site:
- The activist emphasized that Deonar is not a closed landfill.
- It remains one of India’s top 22 methane hotspots, releasing around 6,202 kg of methane per hour.
Central Pollution Control Board
- CPCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- It was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution.
- to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.
