Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plan to remove the 9-inch layer of soil at Shivaji Park has been delayed as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has asked the civic body 9 months to study soil patterns at the ground and make a feasibility report. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Monday held a meeting with the IIT experts and have asked them to suggest immediate measures to control dust pollution at Shivaji Park.
“The IIT is expected to submit their suggestions on immediate measures to be taken at Shivaji Park to control dust pollution. The dust mitigation plan at Shivaji Park ground will be different than other grounds in Mumbai,” the officer from BMC’s Environment Department said.
The FPJ had reported earlier that on January 6, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had given the BMC 15 days to implement its plan to mitigate dust at Dadar’s Shivaji Park. MPCB chairman Siddhesh Kadam who visited the ground had told FPJ that last March the MPCB issued notice to BMC to address the complaints of dust pollution at Shivaji Park, but the BMC has failed to act.
In December 2024, the G-North ward of the BMC submitted the proposal to the BMC Chief for final sanction to remove the 9-inch soil layer at the park after the study report by IIT. “However, IIT report was made with a three-day study before monsoon. The experts have asked for more time to study in detail soil patterns at Shivaji Park before removing the layer,” the civic officer said.
The residents’ complaints about dust pollution at Shivaji Park increased in the last couple of years after the BMC dumped a thick layer of red soil for ground-leveling at the park. It was part of the beautification project, which failed. The issue of dust pollution at Shivaji Park came to limelight amid the worsening air quality index in Mumbai since last month.
