1 week ago
Mumbai Football Ground Fight Highlights Battle Over Public Open Spaces
Mumbai officials proposed changing a football ground in Bandra into a convention and exhibition centre.
Football players and local residents worry because the ground is heavily used.
It hosts many tournaments and is used by more than 15,000 people.
Other important football grounds in Mumbai are difficult to book or have not been available.
People have protested at the ground and the Mumbai Football Association went to court.
The Bombay High Court first told the corporation not to take further decisions, but the corporation later approved the change.
The court then paused the plan until another hearing.
Activists say Mumbai already has far too little public open space.
They want the city to protect the spaces it still has instead of making them commercial or harder to access.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposed converting Bandra’s Neville D’Souza Football Ground into a convention and exhibition centre.
The Mumbai Football Association says the 2.47-acre ground is Mumbai’s only full-size functional suburban football turf.
The ground hosts about 16 tournaments annually and serves more than 15,000 people.
The Bombay High Court stayed the conversion plan until the next hearing on September 18.
Activists say the proposal reflects a broader commercialisation of Mumbai’s severely limited public open spaces.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Mumbai Football Association, football players, residents and civic activists are involved.
- What
- A proposal to change the land reservation of Neville D’Souza Football Ground into a convention and exhibition centre is being challenged.
- Where
- Neville D’Souza Football Ground in Bandra West, Mumbai; the wider dispute concerns public open spaces across Mumbai.
- When
- The proposal was presented in late May; the corporation cleared it on August 18, and the court stayed it on August 20 until September 18.
- Why
- The corporation proposed a different use for the ground, while opponents say it is urgently needed for football, recreation and public access.
Protect Public Football Grounds
Change the Ground’s Land Reservation
Use of the Bandra ground
Protect Public Football Grounds
The Mumbai Football Association, players and residents say the ground is a vital, accessible football facility and public recreational space that should remain available.
Change the Ground’s Land Reservation
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposed changing its reservation so the plot could become a convention and exhibition centre.
Need for a convention centre
Protect Public Football Grounds
Opponents argue that nearby facilities, including St Andrew’s auditorium, the Jio World Convention Centre and the MMRDA grounds, already provide convention space.
Change the Ground’s Land Reservation
The corporation’s proposal identifies a convention and exhibition centre as the intended future use, but the articles do not state its justification.
Management of open spaces
Protect Public Football Grounds
Activists argue that public land should be protected for broad public use and warn that privatisation or commercialisation can make spaces inaccessible.
Change the Ground’s Land Reservation
The articles describe municipal allotments and public-private management proposals as efforts involving outside organisations, but do not provide supporters’ detailed arguments.
Key facts
- Ground size
- 2.47 acres
- Current use
- Football games, including Mumbai Football Association league matches and about 16 tournaments a year
- People served
- More than 15,000 people
- Ground inauguration
- 2018
- Court status
- The Bombay High Court stayed the conversion plan until the next hearing on September 18.
- Mumbai open space
- The UDRI-NAGAR study found 1.28 square metres of public open space per person in Greater Mumbai.
- National recommendation
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recommends 10–12 square metres of open space per person in cities.
Quotes
Sudhakar Rane
General secretary of the Mumbai Football Association
“This is currently the only full-size functional football turf in the suburbs where professional football can be played in the city. It is in a central location, so it’s easily accessible to players from across the city.”
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“Why is a convention centre, which can be built anywhere else, more important than one of the few remaining open spaces where professional football can be played in the city?”
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Sources
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