Highlighting a mid-day report that was published on Friday, Nadim Memon urged people to raise their voices and appealed to the civic authority for immediate corrective measures
Local residents have been complaining to the BMC about the red soil pollution, causing a surge in respiratory ailments in their area. Representational Pic/File
Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) veteran curator Nadim Memon on Friday raised concerns over 'mismanagement' at Shivaji Park ground as local residents continue to complain to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) about the red soil pollution, causing a surge in respiratory ailments in their area.
Nadim Memon, in a post on Facebook, highlighted a mid-day report that was published on Friday, urged people to raise their voices and appealed to the civic authority for immediate corrective measures.
Mid-day had reported about the Shivaji Park Advanced Locality Management's (ALM) once again on Tuesday complaining to the G North ward about the BMC's 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.
Read more: Red soil chokes Shivaji Park as residents cough up complaints
The post, addressed to the MCA’s members, cricketers and plots holders reads, "Let us not forget — these maidans have existed since the British era, and for over 125 years, they have been the nurturing ground for cricket clubs and budding sports talent. Shivaji Park alone houses 8 well-maintained cricket pitches, which are regularly watered and curated by clubs with great dedication. The MCA has also provided a water connection from the big- water-well at Shivaji Park Gymkhana for this very purpose. However, the recent so-called “redevelopment” by the BMC has completely ruined the outfield. In the name of beautification, they dumped nearly 100 trucks of substandard red soil — without any consultation from sports experts or ground consultants. This act is not just unscientific but has turned the maidan into a dusty, without watering or rolling how the outfield will be maintain? unplayable mess, by political rallies and police parade, etc. creating health hazards for residents and players alike."
It further states, "Let us be clear -- don’t blame the red soil, blame the BMC officers, corrupt contractors, and local politicians who are least bothered about preserving these iconic open spaces. How maidan will survey without watering and rolling in the outfields of maidan, their vested interests and mismanagement have led to the degradation of one of Mumbai’s most prestigious maidans. This is the same Shivaji Park maidan that has produced legends like Ajit Wadekar, Madhav Mantri, Ramakant Desai, Sandeep Patil, and Sachin Tendulkar. This ground is not just soil and grass — it’s a living heritage of Indian cricket.
Memon further wrote, "we must raise our voices to hold the BMC accountable and demand immediate corrective action with proper consultation from sports professionals. Our maidans are the lungs of the city and the nursery of Indian sport — they deserve better."
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