Happy Weekend Chembur Family
Earlier this week, the Bombay High Court made an important observation. It said the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) could be held liable if there is any future gas leak at the RCF plant in Chembur. It wasn’t a verdict. It wasn’t a shutdown order. But it was a clear signal that responsibility has been formally acknowledged, and that accountability may no longer be abstract.
This isn’t new, but something has shifted
To be clear, this isn’t the first time residents have raised concerns. Complaints about chemical smells, irritation, and discomfort in and around Chembur have surfaced before. People have spoken up, written emails, and flagged issues over the years.
What’s different this time is the language coming from the court. The focus is no longer just on whether emissions are within limits, but on who will be answerable if something goes wrong again. That shift matters.
Where the disconnect has always been
For many residents, the experience has been consistent. A sharp smell. A sense of unease. A question mark over whether it’s safe to step out, open windows, or let children play. At the same time, official statements and reports often point to readings being within permissible levels.
This gap, between what instruments record and what people physically experience, has been at the heart of the unease. The court’s observation implicitly recognises that this gap cannot be brushed aside indefinitely.
So where does MPCB fit in?
The MPCB is the primary authority responsible for monitoring emissions, enforcing compliance, and acting as the first line of oversight. The High Court’s remarks place that role in sharp focus.
It suggests that monitoring isn’t just procedural. It carries responsibility. And if lapses occur, there may be consequences. For residents, this doesn’t immediately change daily life. But it does change the context in which concerns are viewed.
What stays with us
Air quality issues are not always dramatic. They show up quietly, through smells, discomfort, and lingering doubt. This moment isn’t about panic or prediction. It’s about recognising that lived experience, what people notice and feel day to day, has value. And increasingly, it’s being taken seriously.
Sometimes, the first sign of accountability is simply being heard.