The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating air quality in Bhopal, India, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a hazardous 315 due to illegal open burning of municipal solid waste. This incident, linked to the BHEL Dussehra Ground following the Bhojpal Utsav Mela, highlights systemic failures in waste governance, including ineffective implementation of existing laws like the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The NGT criticized the practice of setting extended deadlines without accountability, stating that such delays demonstrate a lack of concern for public health and environmental protection. The tribunal called for a mission-mode approach to waste management, emphasizing the need for public participation and awareness campaigns to effectively tackle these challenges. Additionally, the NGT proposed the establishment of a centralized state-level mechanism to oversee waste management, ensuring better coordination among departments and stakeholders. Continuous monitoring and capacity building are essential to improve waste management practices and protect public health.