Mumbai: Fed up by the lackadiasical approach by the BMC towards implement measures directed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to address the issue of air pollution, the residents are set to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Bombay High Court.
“The BMC lacks determination to solve the problem of flying dust at Shivaji Park which is several affecting the health of the residents. As per timeline given by MPCB, the ward office should be have finalised patches for showing grass seeds. But we see nothing moving,” said Vaibhav Rege, Shivaji Park Residents ALM.
On February 3, the MPCB had directed BMC to develop green patches on Shivaji Park to control dust pollution. In its notice to BMC’s Environment department, the board directed time-bound actions to be taken to control the flying red dust. The main measures included sowing grass seeds before the monsoon begins and appointing a ‘curator’ to maintain the ground among others.
As per the timeline, by April end the BMC needs to study and identify which variety of grass will hold in the existing soil at Shivaji Park and identify the green patches to be developed.
By the end of May, the civic body has to finalize the variety of grass and start planting grass seeds by June first week to allow the grass to grow naturally in the monsoon. The work is to be implemented by the G-North ward office and the total cost expected is Rs 80 lakh.
“There has been delay as the ward office is waiting for the funds to be sanctioned by the Enviornment department. Even if funds are sanctioned this month, before monsoon the study and decision of type of grass to be sowed can be done,” said an officer from G-North ward.
MPCB member secratary Avinash Dhakne said that the board has given directions and the BMC has to implement the measures. If there is an delay, the BMC has to answer for it.
Rege, meanwhile stressed that the MPCB should follow up and ensure the process is expedited. “If steps not taken by next month and grass is not sowed by May-June before monsoon starts, the work will get postponed to next the next year. We have been suffering from severe the dust pollution and only installing mist machines on the ground is not helpful,” he added.
It was in 2021 that the BMC dumped a thick layer of red soil on Shivaji Park as part of its beautification project. However, it failed and residents complained of rising dust pollution. Taking note of residents’ complaints, the MPCB had issued a first notice to BMC in March 2023 to address the problem of dust flying in Shivaji Park, which is also deteriorating the air quality.
