Court cracks down on sewage pollution, warns builders and civic bodies of strict action.

No Occupancy Certificate Without Sewage Treatment Plant, Rules Bombay HC.

The Bombay High Court has directed all civic authorities across Maharashtra to withhold Occupancy Certificates (OCs) unless developers strictly comply with sanctioned building plans and provide proper sewage management systems. The ruling aims to curb severe sewage pollution, particularly the dumping of untreated waste into rivers such as the Ulhas. A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri observed that the absence of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in at least 438 allegedly unauthorised structures in Thane district has caused large-scale environmental damage. The court was hearing a petition filed by a Badlapur resident highlighting illegal constructions and unchecked sewage discharge. Emphasising accountability, the HC ordered municipal bodies to ensure sewage flow into rivers is reduced and eventually stopped. It also directed authorities to identify buildings lacking STPs or proper drainage connections and warned of blacklisting builders who fail to comply. The court further cautioned that civic officials issuing OCs without mandatory facilities would also face action. The matter will be heard next on January 28.