Keypoints:
- Construction of wells has been done in order to tackle the issue of dust pollution and promote rainwater harvesting.
- This project comes under a part of BMC’s ambitious Shivaji Park revamp program to relieve locals from dust problems.
In order to protect the green cover at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Udyaan (Shivaji Park) in Dadar West, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has constructed 35 underground wells in order to tackle dust pollution and to promote rainwater harvesting. This project comes under a part of BMC’s ambitious Shivaji Park revamp program to relieve locals from dust problems.
Due to lowering ground water level, civic administration is finding it troublesome to protect the green cover of park. Due to the dust particles being airborne, it enters the houses in its periphery. Keeping the grounds wet, is the solution to prevent dust from being airborne. Maintaining the grasses would require 2.64 lakh litres of water per day.
Kiran Dighavkar, who is the assistant municipal commissioner and in-charge of G-North (GN) ward, which covers the entire Dadar area has said that, “We have constructed 35 groundwater wells. These wells will provide potable water throughout the year and the water capacity inside the tanks will be recharged during the monsoon every year.”
Dighavkar added that to channel the water, an underground pipeline network will also be created apart from the well.
“All the wells collectively will have a capacity to provide approximately 3 to 4 lakh litres of water daily. We are working so that we can activate the rainwater system before monsoon this year. Shivaji Park will then have its own source of natural water,” Dighavkar said.
Vishakha Raut who is a Shiv Sena corporator from this constituency has said that the dust problem is a serious issue for the residents near that ground. Many senior citizens have developed asthma because of dust problem.
“Shivaji Park is spread over 1 lakh square meters of area. At times, getting 10 water tankers is also not adequate to keep the ground wet. This is why having its own water catchment tank was necessary for this area,” Raut told to Free Press Journal.
She also added that each well’s depth is 7-8 feet. They weren’t able to dig more than that because of Dadar’s close proximity to the sea.
Raut added that, “If the well is dug deeper, then saline water would come to the surface, as this area is close to the sea.”
On Thursday, a survey of the ground was taken by State Minister of Environment Aaditya Thackeray along with Dighavkar and Raut. “Around 35 wells have been created and a network of pipes to ensure that least water stagnates during monsoon. This will help us not only harvest rainwater, but also maintain the ground green and with less dust,” tweeted Aaditya.
