HC Asks BMC to Reply on Conversion of Bandra's Neville D'Souza Ground

The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to respond to a petition challenging the proposed conversion of Bandra’s Neville D’Souza Football Ground into an exhibition and convention centre. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad heard the plea filed by the Mumbai Football Association (MFA), which argued that the decision was being pursued without giving the sports body an opportunity to be heard.

The court directed the BMC to file its affidavit by August 20 and scheduled the matter for hearing on August 24 at 3 pm. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), which is also a party to the matter, was granted liberty to file its response.

Senior advocate Zal Andhyarujina, representing the MFA, submitted in court that principles of natural justice were not observed. He highlighted that the association has managed and maintained the 8,450-square-metre ground for more than 15 years, arguing that it should have been consulted before any decision to alter the site's status was made.

The petition challenges a November 3, 2025 letter issued by MHADA and a May 2026 recommendation by the BMC Improvements Committee. Both seek to alter the ground's reservation under Section 37(1) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, changing its designation from a playground and open space to a convention or exhibition centre.

Describing the ground as an integral part of Mumbai’s football ecosystem, the MFA pointed out that the facility features FIFA-standard artificial turf and seating for around 5,000 spectators. The site hosts more than 900 official matches every season and is used by nearly 400 youth clubs, 300 senior teams, and over 10,000 players.

The MFA argued that the facility is an existing, functioning, and intensively used public sporting amenity, and warned that its loss would severely impact local clubs, players, coaches, leagues, and community programmes across the region.

Furthermore, the association stated that authorities failed to conduct a sports impact assessment, user survey, or feasibility study, and did not examine alternative sites before proposing the change. The petition disputed the need for another convention facility, noting that existing venues such as the Jio World Convention Centre, St Andrew’s Auditorium, and MMRDA Exhibition Grounds operate nearby.

In defence of the proposal, MHADA has maintained that the land was originally earmarked for a convention complex and that revenue generated from the project would support affordable housing initiatives.