Mumbai, June 11 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun testing grass plantations in a patch in the Shivaji park after the red soil displacement led to concerns of air pollution and health issues among players and senior citizens. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had directed the civic body to complete the process before monsoon. A BMC contractor began the plantation work on a 200 sq m area at the Nana Nani Park where five species of grass will be tested to check whether they are sustainable and can hold the red soil. Vinayak Vispute, assistant commissioner of G North ward said, "We expect to finish the testing work in 10 days." However, local residents raised concerns about the completion of the work on Friday in a meeting with Bhushan Gagrani, the municipal commissioner of the BMC. Prakash Belwade, a local resident, said that the work was supposed to be done in March under unfavourable weather conditions which would allow them to test the efficacy of the grass. He added that soon rallies and other events would begin and air quality would worsen during winters. Vispute said that a joint meeting will be held between stakeholders including ward officers, MPCB, and IIT experts, to confirm the course of action. He added that it would be a tough task since the HOD of environmental engineering, who had assessed the park, has retired....