BMC Approves Plan to Convert Bandra Football Ground into Convention Centre

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) general body approved a proposal on Tuesday to change the reservation of the Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation from a playground to a convention and exhibition centre. The decision by the BJP-Shiv Sena-led body came despite the civic administration telling the Bombay High Court last week that it would file its reply on August 20 regarding a legal petition against the plan.

A civic official stated that because the court had not restrained the BMC from taking action, the proposal was tabled. The plan was formally moved by improvement committee chairman and Shiv Sena corporator Sandhya Doshi.

The Neville D'Souza Football Ground is the only functional full-sized football facility available to the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) in the city. Around 8,000 players use the ground for competitions, and approximately 200 clubs are associated with the venue. Footballers, coaches, and sports clubs have strongly opposed the move, warning that eliminating the facility would severely impact grassroots and competitive football.

The MFA challenged the proposed modification in the Bombay High Court, arguing that the change is arbitrary and illegal during a period of shrinking open spaces. The court had directed the BMC to submit its response by August 20, granting Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) liberty to file an affidavit, and scheduled the petition for urgent admission on August 24.

The civic body's resolution has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and MFA president Aaditya Thackeray accused the administration of systematically reducing open spaces across the city and questioned the vote while the matter remains before the court. Thackeray claimed the BMC had assured the court it would not vote before submitting its response and stated that large road protests would follow.

Congress corporator from Bandra Raja Rahebar Khan noted that generations of local residents have played at the site. Khan said opposition to the plan was raised when it was first cleared at the improvement committee meeting, emphasizing the deep community ties to the recreational plot. Congress's Ashraf Azmi also questioned the decision to proceed ahead of the pending court hearing.