BMC Takes Action to Control Dust Pollution at Shivaji Park, Mumbai

BMC Takes Action to Control Dust Pollution at Shivaji Park, Mumbai

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started implementing immediate measures to combat dust pollution at Shivaji Park in Dadar, following recommendations by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The measures, which aim to reduce the impact of airborne dust, include the use of rollers to settle the dust, ground-leveling, and spraying water to suppress further dust particles from rising.

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the BMC clarified that these actions are short-term interventions suggested by IIT Bombay, while the institute will conduct further studies on soil patterns and wind speeds at the park to recommend long-term solutions. The decision follows growing complaints from the residents of Dadar and the surrounding areas, who have been concerned about the worsening dust pollution at the historic park. Last year, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) also issued a notice to the BMC, urging them to address the issue urgently. The situation prompted a visit from the MPCB Chairman in early January, who directed the BMC to resolve the problem within a 15-day timeframe.

Additionally, the BMC has reconsidered its proposal to remove the 9-inch layer of soil that was added during a beautification drive four to five years ago. The installation of the red soil layer, intended for aesthetic purposes, inadvertently led to an increase in airborne dust pollution in the area. Earlier reports indicated that IIT Bombay had requested up to nine months to complete a thorough analysis of the soil patterns at Shivaji Park, and in turn, provide more effective long-term strategies to mitigate the dust pollution issue. As air quality in Mumbai continues to deteriorate, the BMC’s efforts to address this challenge are a critical step towards ensuring better environmental conditions in the city’s iconic spaces.