Singapore-style littering fines for Mumbai? HC pushes civic body to make tougher rules

The Bombay High Court has urged the Maharashtra government to develop a state-wide policy with strict measures to address garbage dumping by unruly citizens, especially in cities like Mumbai and Pune. Justice Girish S Kulkarni and Neela K Gokhale, in a bench, emphasized the need for lawmakers to enact tougher provisions following the rampant illegal dumping that disrupts public sanitation.

The court issued a stern warning of contempt proceedings against Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ward officers for failing to clear trash from public streets in Dadar, Andheri, and Goregaon.

The court referred to Singapore's stringent anti-littering laws, which impose fines of up to 2,000 SGD and require offenders to perform community service. The High Court directed the Municipal Commissioner to form a task force to ensure the strict implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The court also expressed surprise at the Kanjurmarg landfill site's inactive complaint mechanism and urged BMC to provide a list of ward and other officers responsible for maintaining cleanliness, along with their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for expeditious action.

Justice Kulkarni warned of contempt proceedings against errant officers and criticized the BMC for providing false and paper assurances of actions against those causing public nuisance. The court noted the disturbing photographs from various wards and emphasized the lack of enforcement in implementing legal provisions for waste segregation and public sanitation.