Residents of Bandra’s Pali Village have raised concerns about ongoing construction at a decades-old open playground, fearing the public-use space could change in character. The development comes at a time when citizens in the suburb are already protesting against the proposed conversion of Neville D’Souza Sports Ground at Reclamation into a convention centre.
The disputed plot, owned by the Collectorate, has remained an open playground for several decades. A private NGO is currently developing a sports facility at the site. According to documents available with the Suburban Collector’s office, Rs 6 crore has been allocated under the Annual District Development Plan for the construction of a “welfare centre and healthcare utility”.
The project is being executed by the I Love Mumbai Foundation, which is not associated with Nana Chudasama’s NGO of a similar name. Shiv Sena leader Rahool Kanal, who heads the foundation and also serves as president of the Pickleball Association of Maharashtra, said the initiative aims to create a multi-sport facility comprising a cricket turf and pickleball court.
“It will be open for local players. The land ownership will remain with the state. There is no change of user or ownership. There will be no construction beyond permissible limits. We will levy a nominal fee of Rs 10 or so just to cover maintenance costs, like public toilets charge,” he said.
The project was initiated after Kanal submitted a representation to local MLA Ashish Shelar seeking funds for welfare-related activities under the district development plan. The proposal was forwarded to the Suburban Collectorate and subsequently approved. However, the work order issued by MHADA reportedly mentions Kanal’s designation incorrectly as corporator.
Local activists, however, have opposed the development, stating that the ground has historically been a public playground. They pointed out that the land was leased to St Anthony High School in the 1950s and continued to remain accessible to residents even after the school shut down in 2011.
Activist Colman Pereira recalled earlier legal efforts against alleged encroachment on the plot, identified as CTS F-513A and B. “It was an open playground where local boys played since the 1950s. We won appeals to various authorities against this club which had built its own tennis court. We succeeded in getting the tennis court demolished,” said Pereira.
The activists have questioned the legality of the current project, citing previous orders from authorities and the Bombay High Court that recognised the site as an open playground for public use.
“How can the present Collector overturn the order of his own predecessor, and the high court, which declares the site as a free open playground for the public? It can only be done after going in appeal against the HC order,” Pereira said.
“This is the place where local boys have been playing since decades. They cannot afford to spend thousands of rupees to join private clubs in Bandra,” Warapen added.
With the project expected to be completed by 2027, residents continue to seek clarity on the scope and legal status of the proposed facility.
Source: The Times of India
