The Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust has filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court, seeking interim relief to permit controlled pigeon feeding in Mumbai until the Bombay High Court delivers its final judgment on the matter.

According to sources, the petition was filed on Friday, September 12, and listed on Tuesday but could not be heard. The trust’s advocate stated that the next date of hearing would likely be known by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, the state government’s expert committee—formed on the Bombay High Court’s directive to study health hazards caused by pigeon droppings—conducted site visits across multiple Mumbai locations last week, including Dadar, Bhuleshwar, Parel, and Girgaon Chowpatty.

The 12-member panel consists of scientists, doctors, representatives from the Bombay Natural History Society, Animal Welfare Board, Town Planning Department, and municipal health officers.

However, petitioners in the Bombay High Court expressed disappointment that they were neither included in the committee nor informed about its visits. Snehal Visaria, one of the petitioners, said, “We only learned about the committee and its visits after they inspected the Dadar Kabutarkhana. The HC had directed that petitioners be included. We have also filed RTIs to know how many suggestions or objections were received regarding controlled pigeon feeding, but the replies are awaited.”

Sources revealed that during its post-visit meeting, the committee was informed by BMC officials that 95–97% of the thousands of suggestions and objections received favored controlled pigeon feeding.

When asked about the exact number of responses, BMC’s Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah declined to comment, saying the data was still being compiled.

The trust’s representatives claimed they had shown the committee evidence of pigeons dying due to starvation and thirst. They have recommended measures such as plastic barricading to regulate feeding times and urged that feeding be permitted for two hours each in the morning and evening.

Trustee Mehta emphasized that despite living near Dadar Kabutarkhana for 50 years and managing the feeding operations, their letters and emails to the Municipal Commissioner have gone unanswered.

Mehta further highlighted RTI data on Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HPP) cases, showing negligible numbers in four major BMC hospitals—KEM, Sion, Nair, and Kasturba. “Hospitals like KEM and Sion treat 80% of Mumbai’s patients. The RTI data shows only two deaths and 10–15 HPP patients treated. Respiratory illnesses exist, but they account for less than 1% of the city’s population,” Mehta said.

He concluded that, based on this data, there is no harm in resuming controlled feeding. “Pigeons are dying every day. This is why we have approached the apex court,” he added.