The reservation of Bandra Reclamation’s Neville D’Souza Football Ground as a playground remains unchanged, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) informing the Bombay High Court that no final decision has been taken to convert the site into a convention or exhibition centre.
In an affidavit filed on August 19, the civic body said the proposal was still at a preliminary stage and would have to undergo the statutory procedure prescribed under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act before any change could be approved.
The BMC argued that the Mumbai Football Association’s (MFA) petition challenging the proposed change was premature, as no final decision had been taken. Since the reservation forms part of the approved Development Plan 2034, it cannot be altered merely through an administrative request or representation.
According to the civic body, any proposed modification would require issuance of a notification inviting objections and suggestions from affected parties. These submissions would then have to be considered before the proposed change is forwarded to the state government for approval.
The BMC further stated that the current Development Plan 2034 contains multiple reservations applicable to the property, including a playground, multipurpose community centre, municipal school, old-age home and service centre. It added that accepting MHADA’s request to restore the earlier reservation would therefore require a formal modification of the approved development plan.
The civic administration maintained that the MFA cannot claim any vested right over the proposed modification and that it has not taken a final decision either to confirm or cancel the existing reservation.
The BMC also said it had acted in good faith as the planning authority and would follow the applicable legal procedure and abide by the decision of the competent authority under the MRTP Act.
What Is the Dispute?
The 8,450 sq m plot, owned by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), was originally reserved for a convention and trade fair centre in 1983. Around 15 years ago, it was temporarily leased to the MFA.
As a football ground already existed on the site, the BMC later classified it as an “entertainment ground” under Development Plan 2034.
However, following an MHADA letter issued in November 2025 seeking restoration of the original reservation, the BMC Improvement Committee recommended a change in May this year.
The MFA subsequently approached the High Court challenging the move. Meanwhile, the court has restrained the civic administration from acting on the resolution passed by the BMC general body until the next hearing.
Source: Loksatta
