BMC to restore green cover at Shivaji Park, mitigate dust issues

However, the ground is in a barren condition and the grass on the surface has withered away with time. As a result the top soil of this ground, composed of loose red soil gets displaced easily leading to dust pollution at the locality. Over the past two years, the local residents have raised multiple complaints owing to the red-dust issue to the civic authorities.

Meanwhile, to mitigate this issue the civic authorities said that the green cover of this ground is going to be increased.

“We are appointing a consultant who would be responsible for planting grass on the surface of the ground that will prevent displacement of dust. Besides this, sprinklers will also be installed so that the top soil could be watered regularly,” Ramakant Biradar, deputy municipal commissioner told The Indian Express on Thursday.

Earlier in October, local MP, Rahul Shewale had suggested setting up a mini smog tower around the periphery of the ground to mitigate this issue. Leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Raj Thackeray who lives near Shivaji Park, had also asked the civic authorities to mitigate this issue at the earliest.

Biradar said that the appointed consultant will work in coordination with a committee of IIT and VJTI empanelled experts who are preparing a feasibility report on this issue. Biradar said that the consultant will be appointed through proper tendering.

“After going through the recommendations a decision on whether to install smog towers will be taken. For the time being the importance is to increase the green cover on the surface,” Biradar said.

Shivaji Park has 35 ring wells that mainly consist of natural underground water. Civic officials said that on a daily basis water from these wells is being drawn and sprinkled on the surface to prevent displacement of dust.