The High-Powered Committee (HPC), comprised of two former judges and appointed by the Bombay High Court, has expressed apprehensions regarding vehicular emissions in its recent preliminary report. The committee has urged the traffic department to implement various strategies, such as establishing dedicated bus lanes on wider roads to mitigate traffic disruptions caused by bus breakdowns, ensuring regular maintenance of these vehicles to prevent mechanical issues, and introducing barrier-free toll systems across Mumbai and its adjacent regions.

Additionally, the HPC highlighted that the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) should be uniformly applied across all planning authorities and local bodies. This measure aims to regulate numerous ongoing construction projects, including public infrastructure initiatives, ensuring they adhere to environmental standards.

This report was presented to the High Court bench, which includes Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad, overseeing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) addressing the declining air quality in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Key findings from the preliminary report, dated February, were made available to the involved parties recently.

Formed on January 29, the HPC includes former Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Amjad A Sayed, and retired Bombay High Court Justice Anuja Prabhudessai. The panel was established following the Court’s observation of inadequate oversight by civic authorities.

According to the preliminary report, the committee identified primary contributors to air pollution in the MMR, which include vehicular emissions, construction and demolition activities, industrial discharges, roadside dust, open burning of waste, and cooking emissions.

In response to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) officer’s report regarding Pollution Under Control (PUC) initiatives aimed at ensuring carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon levels remain within acceptable limits, the HPC noted that the detection of violations is minimal compared to the large volume of vehicles on the road. The committee raised concerns about the issuance of PUC certificates without proper testing, which allows highly polluting vehicles to evade environmental regulations. They called for targeted operations to identify PUC centers with suspicious practices and recommended actions such as revoking licenses of fraudulent operators.

The officials also informed the HPC about efforts to synchronize traffic signals to improve traffic flow during peak hours. The committee advised authorities to utilize Google Maps for effective synchronization to enhance traffic management.

Furthermore, the HPC directed the implementation of measures to assess the timely execution of barrier-free tolling based on the model used at Atal Setu. After hearing from police officials that vehicle breakdowns, particularly buses, are a leading cause of traffic jams, the committee suggested regular maintenance schedules for public transport buses and proposed a policy to dispatch assistance from the nearest depot or mobile unit, rather than the original depot.

Moreover, the committee recommended establishing dedicated bus lanes on broader roads to confine broken-down buses to a single lane, thus minimizing traffic disruption. They also called for the deployment of towing vehicles and emergency teams at strategic locations to promptly relocate obstructing vehicles, including trucks and lorries.

Regarding the congestion caused by poorly maintained roads, the HPC instructed senior traffic and BMC engineers to conduct joint inspections of traffic hotspots and potholes, taking immediate action to rectify these issues. The committee also noted that ongoing disorganized parking, despite the availability of designated spots, indicates a significant failure in enforcement. They recommended clearly marking roadside parking areas with bright paint and enforcing strict penalties and towing for violations.

As the court could not address the matter on Thursday due to time limitations, the hearing has been rescheduled for April 30, when the panel’s recommendations will be discussed.

• Establishment of dedicated bus lanes on wider roads to minimize breakdown impact to a single lane.
• Implementation of preventive maintenance schedules for public transport buses.
• Crackdown on fraudulent PUC certificate centers through special enforcement drives.
• Utilization of Google Maps for synchronizing traffic signals effectively.
• Adoption of barrier-free tolling based on the Atal Setu model.
• Placement of towing vans and emergency teams at strategic locations.
• Joint inspections by Traffic Cell and BMC engineers to address potholes and traffic congestion.
• Clear demarcation of roadside parking areas and enforcement of strict fines and towing for violations.

Omkar Gokhale, a journalist for The Indian Express based in Mumbai, possesses strong expertise and authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a reliable source for updates concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its significant institutions.

His affiliation with The Indian Express, a national publication known for its commitment to high journalistic standards, enhances the credibility of his legal coverage. Gokhale specializes in reporting on complex legal affairs, particularly focusing on:

• Real-time updates on orders and decisions from the Bombay High Court’s principal and regional benches.
• Cases related to fundamental rights and environmental issues, including air pollution and the rights of residents affected by waste disposal.