The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the BMC to follow strict dust mitigation guidelines for Shivaji Park in Dadar. In a letter to the civic body, MPCB ordered that no persons or agencies be allowed to dig the ground for installation of pandals which serves as a popular venue for political and social events. It also ordered the development of a grass patch on a small area of the ground and asked for a report to be submitted by April 2025. The MPCB warned the civic body of legal action without further notice if it failed to comply with the orders in the stipulated time period.

MPCB’s Regional Officer (Mumbai) Ravindra Andhale issued the written order to the deputy municipal commissioner, environment department, on Monday. The letter stated, “It was agreed unequivocally that the removal of red soil from Shivaji Park is not feasible. The BMC should use suitable grass species with deep root systems that can stabilise the soil and enhance its fertility and plant native species of large trees around the ground to prevent wind-driven dust. The project should be conducted in consultation with a professional curator. Small patches of grass shall be developed within one month, and based on the results, full-scale grass plantation shall be carried out for the entire park—excluding the cricket pitch areas— before the monsoon season.”