January 23, 2026: As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) prepares to begin beautification and illumination works around Shivaji Park next week, concerns over dust pollution from excess red soil continue to trigger resistance from local residents. On Sunday, members of the neighbourhood staged a silent protest at the iconic Dadar ground, demanding the immediate removal of the red soil layer that they say has become a persistent health hazard. Their concerns remain unresolved as an investigation into the soil composition by IIT Bombay is still underway.
Spread across 28 acres, Shivaji Park is one of Mumbai’s most prominent open spaces, known for nurturing cricketing greats such as Sachin Tendulkar and for hosting historic political gatherings. However, residents living along its periphery say that the ground’s condition has deteriorated since 2021, when truckloads of red soil were added as part of a civic beautification plan. According to them, the loose soil gets easily displaced by wind, creating dense dust clouds that have led to a rise in respiratory ailments, particularly among children and the elderly.
To address the issue, the BMC had proposed grass plantation and commissioned IIT Bombay to study the soil. With no visible outcome so far, residents intensified their demands. “Even though they had a meeting with IIT Bombay three months ago, they are yet to find a solution. We want a reason why the red soil pollution has not been taken up as an immediate priority despite constant follow-up. Residents are suffering from respiratory health issues,” said Vaibhav Rege, a local resident.
Nearly 60 residents participated in the protest and signed a complaint letter, which will be submitted to municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. Civic officials from the G North ward confirmed that IIT Bombay’s analysis is ongoing. “Officials from IIT Bombay have already collected the soil sample. After their investigation is complete, they will submit their final report based on which we will take the next course of action,” a senior official said.
Meanwhile, the BMC plans to proceed with peripheral beautification works, estimated at ₹2.25 crore. The project includes repairing seating areas in line with the park’s heritage character, fixing damaged tiles, restoring tree guards, and installing illumination around sculptures. “We will undertake civil works to repair the katta (seating area) as per the heritage look, fix the broken tiles, tree rounds, guards, amongst other areas. The project scope will also entail illumination around the sculptures within the ground premises. All work will be carried out in the periphery of the ground,” an official said. “We will be issuing the work order to the contractor soo,n after which work is likely to commence in the next week,” he added.
