The Bombay High Court has recently intervened in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plans to establish a waste-to-energy plant at the Kanjurmarg landfill site. On May 2, 2025, the court declared the 120-hectare Kanjurmarg Dumping Ground a ‘protected forest,’ overturning a previous de-notification that had facilitated its use as a landfill. This ruling mandates that the BMC obtain forest clearance within three months to proceed with any development, including the proposed waste-to-energy project .

In response to this legal setback, the BMC has paused the tendering process for the 66 MW waste-to-energy plant, which was intended to process 3,300 metric tonnes per day of the city’s waste. Additionally, the BMC had planned an integrated solid waste management project at Kanjurmarg, encompassing bio-methanation and composting facilities to handle a total of 5,000 metric tonnes per day. These initiatives are now on hold pending the outcome of the forest clearance process .

The court’s decision underscores the importance of adhering to environmental regulations, particularly concerning protected forest areas and coastal zones. While the BMC has been granted a three-month window to secure the necessary approvals, the future of the Kanjurmarg waste-to-energy project remains uncertain, contingent upon compliance with environmental laws.

Sources