BMC Plan to Replace Mulund East Sports Plot With Petrol Pump Faces Opposition

A Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposal to replace a 4,247.50-square-metre sports complex reservation with a petrol pump in Mulund East has drawn opposition from Congress corporator and BMC Improvement Committee member Meher Mohsin Haider, who urged the civic body to reject the modification.

The land parcel, located at survey no. 1320/K/1 in Mulund East, was earmarked for a sports complex and stadium in the 2034 Development Plan. The BMC is considering altering the reservation following a request from the Mumbai Suburban District Collector to address a lack of fuel stations in the locality.

In a letter to the BMC Improvement Committee dated August 11, Haider criticized the proposed deletion, citing a citywide shortage of playgrounds and recreational facilities. She argued that converting a sports complex reservation into a commercial fuel station represents a fundamental change in land use, questioning why it was being pursued under Section 37(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, which applies to minor modifications.

The push for a fuel station in Mulund East originated during an April 7, 2025 meeting on civic amenities at Sahyadri Guest House, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis instructed officials to identify land along the Eastern Express Highway. On January 29, 2026, BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha wrote to the District Collector, noting that Mulund East has a population of over 150,000 but no petrol pump, forcing residents to travel to Mulund West for fuel.

Following the MLA's request, the Collector wrote to the BMC on February 3, 2026, asking to delete the sports complex reservation covering 4,247.50 square metres and reclassify it for a petrol pump. The broader government plot measures 33,327 square metres and hosts multiple reservations, including a municipal office, playground, school, and police chowky. A 2,098-square-metre portion previously reserved for a fuel station on the plot was already leased to Mahanagar Gas Limited for a CNG station.

Haider questioned why the existing fuel allocation was inadequate and noted that no independent studies had been conducted to gauge local fuel demand or evaluate alternative vacant commercial, industrial, or highway plots. She also highlighted that the District Sports Officer had not yet submitted an opinion on dropping the sports facility.

Civic departments have offered differing views. The BMC gardens department and Executive Engineer (T Ward) voiced no objection, noting no active garden or sports facility exists on the plot. However, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner for gardens suggested retaining or relocating the sports complex reservation, a recommendation now under review by the Chief Engineer of development planning.

To move the modification forward, the BMC must invite public objections and suggestions under Section 37 of the MRTP Act before submitting the proposal to the state government for final approval.