Overview
- A bench of Justices Ravindra V Ghuge and Abhay J Mantri directed civic bodies across Maharashtra to withhold occupancy certificates unless projects follow approved plans and have functional STPs or a connection to municipal drainage.
- Authorities must conduct statewide surveys to identify structures without STPs unless they are linked to underground sewage lines, following findings that 438 alleged unauthorised buildings in Thane are discharging waste.
- The order mandates moves to blacklist developers who fail to provide sewage management and warns of action against civic officers who issue OCs in violation of the court’s directions.
- The bench criticised a compliance affidavit by the Additional District Collector as an “eyewash” and noted that the Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council had not met court-set timelines.
- An HC-constituted oversight panel will now be chaired by the Thane district collector and meet at least fortnightly, with the matter listed for further hearing on January 28.