Mumbai: Red soil chokes Shivaji Park as residents cough up complaints

Police officials rehearsing a parade in swirling dust, ahead of the Maharashtra Day celebration at Shivaji Park, Dadar, in 2023. File pic/Ashish Raje

Amid the growing debate around respiratory illnesses caused by pigeons, and the Dadar kabutarkhana coming under fire for public feeding, residents of Shivaji Park have urged the BMC to pay attention to a different culprit: red soil pollution, causing a surge in respiratory ailments in their area.

The Shivaji Park Advanced Locality Management (ALM) on Tuesday once again complained to the G North ward about the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) failure to remove red soil from the Shivaji Park grounds. Residents stated they had submitted doctors' certificates to the BMC, citing an increase in respiratory illnesses among locals due to the dust raised from the park's red soil.

A thick layer of red soil covers statues around Shivaji Park as dust troubles residents in this picture taken on January 28 this year. File pic/Ashish Raje

Taking to social media, the ALM wrote: "All political parties are hell-bent on removing the kabutarkhanas. Point accepted: respiratory issues. But where are those political parties when Shivaji Park residents have been suffering from acute respiratory diseases for the last 5 years because of red soil pollution?"

Residents first raised the issue in 2015, when the park was mostly covered with sandy soil and rough grass. The problem worsened in 2021 when the BMC dumped over 100 truckloads of red soil across the ground, drastically increasing dust pollution, especially during dry weather.

Last week, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited Shivaji Park and met with residents to hear their concerns. The BMC subsequently announced a facelift for the precinct, with plans for improved footpaths, seating, and street furniture.

Addressing the red soil issue specifically, Gagrani inspected the ground and its surrounding walkway. He assured residents that a long-term solution would be developed in consultation with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.

Dr Suhas Patwardhan, a long-time resident, said, "During the commissioner's visit, multiple issues were discussed. While he assured us that BMC would take appropriate steps to tackle the dust problem, we didn't get a chance to fully present our case on red soil pollution."

"Dust pollution is a major cause of respiratory illnesses," Patwardhan added. "We submitted two medical certificates, one from Dr Ashok Mahashur, a senior chest physician, and another from Dr Sameer Garde, a well-known physician, both confirming that many local residents are suffering from respiratory problems. But the BMC has still failed to act. The grass being laid at Shivaji Park is not a long-term fix." Vaibhav Rege, from the Shivaji Park ALM, added, "We'll wait for about a week and then file another formal complaint. Since the municipal commissioner has assured us that another round of discussions will take place soon, we are waiting for the outcome for a few days."