Ashish Shelar Says Bandra Football Plot Original Tag Cannot Be Altered

Bandra West MLA and minister Ashish Shelar has stated that using the Neville D'souza Football Ground in Bandra for sports cannot alter the plot's original statutory reservation as a convention centre. Addressing the ongoing controversy over a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposal to restore the site's original status, Shelar maintained that temporary or practical land use should not be confused with official planning reservations.

The dispute centers on the proposed restoration of reservation for the plot from a playground back to a convention centre. Highlighting the history of the location, Shelar explained that the land is owned by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and was originally reserved for a convention centre, not a playground. He asserted that the current proposal is simply an effort to revert the land to its initial statutory designation.

Recalling his former role as chairperson of the Mumbai District Football Association, Shelar explained that he had previously ensured the MHADA-owned plot was made available to the football fraternity in the early 2000s. This step was taken specifically to safeguard the open space from being encroached upon at the time. However, Shelar stressed that making the plot accessible for football back then did not grant a basis for changing its official reservation permanently.

While defending the plot's official status, Shelar indicated that he remains open to dialogue on the issue and would support establishing an alternative football facility within the same local area. He also issued a warning to political opponents, stating he would deal politically with anyone attempting to play politics over the plot's reservation. The controversy has seen stiff opposition from Shiv Sena (UBT), which has opposed the BMC's proposal as well as the alleged takeover of other open spaces across Mumbai.