Mumbai’s civic administration has begun cultivating grass over a section of the open ground. The move, prompted by multiple directives from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), comes after years of complaints from local residents who say the red soil at the site creates a cloud of airborne dust during dry months, severely affecting air quality and daily life.
While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated the grass-laying on a 200 square metre section of the park, the intervention is being seen as insufficient by residents, environmental observers, and local stakeholders. The red soil that covers much of Shivaji Park is known to easily break up into fine particulate matter during periods of high use or strong winds—frequent occurrences in this multi-functional public space. The park is a hub for morning walkers, school children, sports coaching camps, and political gatherings that often draw thousands of people. According to a senior BMC official overseeing the initiative, the effort is still in its trial phase. “Grass is being planted as an experimental measure to understand its viability in reducing dust levels. Based on how well it holds in this high-traffic zone, we will assess further action,” the official stated.
The MPCB had earlier sent two formal communications to the BMC, urging immediate mitigation of the dust problem. The first, issued in March 2024, instructed the civic body to remove the red soil within 15 days. The second directive, issued in February 2025, recommended grass plantation as a dust-suppression measure, referencing guidelines from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B). However, locals claim the civic response was delayed and continues to lack long-term planning. Environmental experts agree that grass cover can significantly reduce particulate matter and ground erosion, especially in exposed urban open spaces. However, they caution that without proper soil preparation, watering schedules, and footfall management, the solution may not be sustainable in high-density usage areas like Shivaji Park. “For grass to work effectively as a dust control strategy, it needs protection and maintenance—both of which are difficult in parks where thousands gather daily for sports or events,” said a Mumbai-based urban planner.
Residents of the area, many of whom have been advocating for action since the early 2010s, argue that the root problem—unregulated open soil—has never been tackled holistically. “For over a decade, red soil has been settling on our balconies, inside homes, and coating our vehicles. We clean every day, but it returns every morning,” said one long-time resident, adding that the problem worsens during dry spells between November and May. The situation is further complicated by Shivaji Park’s iconic status in Mumbai’s civic and political life. Spread over 27 acres, the park is not only a public recreation space but also a venue for rallies, cricket coaching, and historical commemorations. Officials say that enforcing usage restrictions or cordoning off areas to allow grass to grow uninterrupted may not be feasible without triggering public backlash.
An environmental officer involved in the MPCB advisory explained that their recommendations are science-based but also adaptive. “Our guidelines suggest ground coverage with grass as a low-cost, eco-friendly solution. However, in practice, this requires dedicated watering systems, reinforced grass varieties, and area-specific treatment,” the officer said. Urban ecologists believe a hybrid solution may be more effective. This could include a combination of natural turf and permeable synthetic covers in high-footfall zones, soil-binding agents, and scheduled usage hours to allow regrowth. “We need to rethink how parks like Shivaji Park are designed and maintained—not just as recreation areas, but as urban lungs that support public health,” said a sustainability consultant working with municipal agencies.
BMC’s efforts also highlight a broader challenge in Indian urban management—balancing public access, environmental sustainability, and civic compliance within limited municipal budgets and high-pressure spaces. While plantation trials like the one at Shivaji Park are a start, they also underscore the need for long-term environmental planning backed by rigorous maintenance protocols and policy innovation. From a public health lens, reducing dust emissions is crucial in cities like Mumbai where ambient air quality often falls below national standards. According to the MPCB’s regional monitoring data, dust from open grounds, construction sites, and roadways contributes significantly to suspended particulate matter in urban pockets. Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable.
For now, residents remain cautiously observant as the grass begins to take root in the test patch. While many appreciate the BMC’s intent, they also express concern that this too may be a temporary fix. “If the experiment fails, we’re back to breathing in dust again,” a local citizen remarked. With the monsoon months ahead offering a temporary reprieve from the dust, the true test of the grass experiment will begin later this year when the ground reopens to full activity. Whether the civic body can scale up and sustain this initiative, or whether deeper structural changes will be needed to preserve both the heritage and health of Shivaji Park, remains to be seen. Until then, residents continue to advocate for solutions that go beyond the surface—literally and figuratively.
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