SVKM Clarifies Plans for Three Sports Grounds in Andheri, Juhu and D.N. Nagar

Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM) has clarified its plan to take over three sports grounds in Andheri, Juhu, and D.N. Nagar on limited-period licences, stating that the facilities will remain publicly accessible and focused on sports infrastructure.

The clarification follows opposition from local residents and a public interest litigation filed before the Bombay High Court regarding the proposed redevelopment of the three sites.

The properties cover a combined 14.11 acres. They comprise the 11.57-acre Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krida Sankul in Andheri, the 0.92-acre Lokmanya Tilak Garden in Juhu, and the 1.62-acre D.N. Nagar Cement Godown. SVKM stated that it does not own the land, with ownership retained by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

Under the BMC tender, SVKM plans to invest between Rs 50 crore and Rs 75 crore to develop the Andheri complex into a sports arena featuring cricket and basketball turfs, athletics tracks, and other sporting amenities. For the MHADA-owned sites in Juhu and D.N. Nagar, the trust said it will undertake maintenance and add amenities like open gyms and grass turfs while retaining their open-space status.

Amrishbhai Patel, president of SVKM, said the facilities will remain open spaces for all and that entry fees and public charges will be determined by the civic body. Patel added that the trust plans to deploy 40 to 50 certified sports staff and coaches at the Andheri site to support youth sports development.

According to SVKM, the Andheri sports complex was awarded through a competitive BMC tender where it offered a 50 percent revenue share along with an annually increasing assured minimum payment. The trust noted that all arrangements are on limited-period licences and the MHADA sites were acquired through required regulatory payments rather than free allotment.