BMC Approves Converting Neville D’Souza Football Ground in Bandra to Convention Complex
The Mahayuti-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, approved changing the reservation status of the Neville D’Souza football ground at Bandra Reclamation from a playground to a convention complex.
The general house meeting of the civic body discussed and passed the resolution previously cleared by the improvement committee on June 24. The decision recommends amending the Development Plan (DP) 2034 and authorises the Municipal Commissioner to approach the Urban Development Department of the Maharashtra Government for final approval.
The resolution triggered strong opposition in the House from the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi stated that the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) had not raised objections when DP 2034 was framed, noting that players have deep emotional ties to the ground. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray also criticised the move, alleging that the ground was being taken away from youth for commercial interests.
Defending the decision, Mahayuti corporator Sapna Mhatre said the land was originally reserved for a convention complex before being marked as a playground during the DP 2034 survey. She stated that the administration is seeking to revert the reservation while allotting a separate land parcel for the football ground.
The 8,450-square-metre plot in Bandra Reclamation was originally reserved for a convention complex in 1983. In 2004, the BMC passed a resolution proposing to grant land including the plot to the Sports Authority of India. By 2011, MHADA signed an agreement with Mumbai's district football association. Because it was being used for sports, it was designated as a "Sports Ground and Playground" in DP 2034.
Inaugurated in 2018 with FIFA-standard artificial turf, the facility is named after Olympian footballer Neville D’Souza. The venue has a seating capacity of 5,000 and hosts major tournaments, including the Maharashtra State Men’s Senior Football League, the Mumbai Premiere League, and the Nandkarni Cup. According to the BMC, around 8,000 students train on the ground daily, serving 300 to 400 clubs and 400 youth teams.
MHADA, which owns the land, recently requested the BMC to alter the plot's reservation to an exhibition centre. Following the improvement committee's recommendation, the Mumbai Football Association approached the Bombay High Court with a petition seeking to quash the MHADA request and the committee's proposal, arguing the change was made without disclosed planning material, user surveys, or hearings.
