A key committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a proposal to alter the land-use reservation of a Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)-owned plot near Bandra Reclamation, moving the site a step closer to potential non-recreational development despite objections from residents, sports groups and urban planning activists.
The land, situated in one of Mumbai’s densely populated western suburbs, is currently reserved for recreational use, including playgrounds and public open spaces. Under the approved proposal, the reservation will be modified to allow the development of an exhibition and convention facility, subject to the necessary approvals under the city’s planning regulations.
The decision has sparked concern among local residents and civic groups, who argue that Mumbai already faces a shortage of open spaces and recreational grounds. They contend that such land should continue to serve public recreational needs instead of being converted into built infrastructure.
Supporters of the proposal, however, believe the revised reservation would enable the development of a public facility capable of hosting exhibitions, cultural events and community programmes. They argue that the project would strengthen civic infrastructure while remaining accessible to the public.
The Bandra plot has been at the centre of discussions over its future use for several years. Various stakeholders have repeatedly urged authorities to retain its recreational reservation, citing the growing need for playgrounds and public open spaces in Bandra and nearby neighbourhoods.
Although the BMC committee has approved the proposal, the change in reservation does not represent the final stage of the approval process. Urban planning experts note that such modifications are subject to multiple levels of scrutiny, including reviews under development planning regulations and, where required, approvals from the state government before any construction can begin.
The proposal has also reignited a broader debate on balancing Mumbai’s infrastructure needs with the preservation of public open spaces. With limited land available across the city, competing demands for recreational, institutional and civic development continue to generate planning challenges.
Several residents’ groups have indicated they will continue to submit representations before planning authorities, maintaining that the site should remain dedicated to recreational use in the interest of community well-being and urban liveability.
Source: Prop News Time
