Bombay HC To Hear Plea Against BMC Proposal To Convert Bandra's Neville D'Souza Football Ground Into Exhibition Centre
· Free Press Journal
Mumbai: The proposed conversion of the iconic Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation into an exhibition centre has reached the Bombay High Court, further intensifying the controversy over the future of one of Mumbai's prominent football venues. Days before the proposal is scheduled to be placed before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) House for approval, the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) filed a writ petition challenging the move.
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The petition, Writ Petition (L) No. 27020 of 2026, is listed for hearing before the Hon'ble Chief Justice's Bench on Friday, as reported by The Times of India. The MFA has challenged the proposed amendment to the Development Plan (DP) 2034, which seeks to change the reservation of the 8,450 sq m MHADA-owned plot from Playground (PG) to Exhibition Centre.
Congress, Shiv Sena UBT Oppose Proposal
The proposal has triggered strong political opposition. On Thursday, a Congress delegation met Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and demanded that the proposal be withdrawn, arguing that the ground should remain reserved exclusively for sports and recreational activities. Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi described the ground as a vital part of Mumbai's football ecosystem, claiming that nearly 400 youth clubs, 300 senior clubs and around 8,000 to 10,000 footballers use the facility every year for training and competitions.
Raising the issue in the BMC Standing Committee, Azmi questioned the rationale behind converting a major sports ground into a commercial facility. He said that at a time when young people are already grappling with limited opportunities, losing an important sports venue would further impact aspiring athletes and reduce the city's already shrinking open spaces.
Shiv Sena UBT has also opposed the proposal. Party corporator Yashodhar Phanse said MLA Aaditya Thackeray had already objected to the move, arguing that public open spaces should not be diverted for commercial purposes. He pointed out that the Bandra-Kurla Complex already has a convention centre and questioned the need for another exhibition facility in the area. The party has warned that it will strongly oppose any attempt to alter the reservation of the ground.
Mumbai: Congress, Shiv Sena UBT Oppose Proposal To Convert Neville D'Souza Football Ground At Bandra Reclamation Into Exhibition CentreBMC Explains Proposal
Defending the proposal, the BMC said it was initiated following a request from MHADA, which stated that the land had originally been earmarked for a convention complex under the Bandra Reclamation layout approved by the state government in 1983.
According to civic officials, the plot was marked as a playground during the preparation of DP 2034 because it was vacant and was being used for football activities. They also argued that there is currently no convention or exhibition facility in the immediate vicinity and that changing the reservation would help address an infrastructure gap. The High Court's decision on the petition is expected to play a key role in determining whether the proposal proceeds before the civic body for final approval.
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