BMC Clashes Over PPP Land Leases Including Andheri Sports Complex

A heated debate broke out between the opposition and the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation General Body meeting on Tuesday over the civic body's Public Private Partnership policy, which includes the leasing of civic properties such as the Andheri Sports Complex.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress opposition accused the municipal administration of pushing arrangements that make plots reserved for gardens, playgrounds, municipal schools, and markets accessible to private developers. Opposition leaders warned that the policy risks civic revenue and compromises public land assets across Mumbai.

BMC Opposition Leader and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Kishori Pednekar raised the issue in the House, questioning the necessity of bringing in private partners while the BMC holds thousands of crores in fixed deposits. Pednekar demanded that the PPP policy be scrapped, all existing PPP and caretaker arrangements undergo a special audit, and properties with violated lease conditions be seized. She warned that the opposition would initiate street agitations if the administration fails to act.

Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi also criticized the administration, alleging that decisions to lease prime plots at Century Mill, CSMT Market, and the Worli asphalt plant favor commercial interests. Azmi claimed that 650 former mill-worker families could be forced out of Mumbai under rehabilitation plans. Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar dismissed the claim, maintaining that the workers would be provided homes in Worli.

Defending the ruling alliance, Shiv Sena group leader Amey Ghole rejected the allegations and stated that no new policy had been introduced to lease out municipal plots. Ghole remarked that the opposition was expecting results within six months after holding power for 25 years, triggering further exchanges between members in the House.

Replying to the debate, Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane defended the BMC's land decisions. Dhakane stated that the Andheri Sports Complex was leased to Shree Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal following a public advertisement that attracted three bids, with SVKM emerging as the qualified bidder.

Dhakane also addressed the Century Mill plot, clarifying that although the site was leased to a private developer, 650 mill-worker families will receive 405-square-foot homes on the Worli plot.