Shivaji Park's dust crisis leaves residents gasping for clean air

Dust pollution at Shivaji Park in Dadar remains a persistent issue for local residents. The problem began in 2021 when the BMC laid a thick layer of red soil as part of a beautification project, leading to widespread complaints about flying dust. In 2021, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) directed the BMC to develop green patches in the park to control dust levels. The civic body planted grass during the monsoon that year, but the effort failed, leaving no lasting solution.

Residents have raised concerns for four years, with little progress. In March 2023, the MPCB issued another notice to the BMC, demanding action on the flying dust. IIT Bombay later proposed two possible fixes: suppressing the red soil or mixing it with specialised sand.

The BMC had initially planned to remove a 9-inch layer of soil in 2025 but abandoned the idea after IIT-B advised against it. Locals now demand the removal of the loose red soil entirely, citing respiratory health risks from prolonged exposure. The BMC has yet to implement a permanent fix for the dust pollution at Shivaji Park. Residents continue to push for answers on the delay, as their health remains at risk. The issue highlights the gap between proposed solutions and effective action.