3 weeks ago
Congress, Shiv Sena Oppose Football Ground to Exhibition Centre Plan
In Mumbai, there is a big football ground called the Neville D'Souza Football Ground.
Many children and grown-ups play football there, and it helps train young players.
The city wants to change this ground into an exhibition centre where big events are held.
Some important groups, like the Congress and Shiv Sena, say this is a bad idea.
They say the ground is very important for young footballers who need a place to practice.
They also say the city already has a big convention centre nearby in Bandra-Kurla Complex.
City officials say the land was always meant to be a convention centre, so changing it makes sense.
They also want a place for exhibitions because there isn't one nearby.
Now the city leaders will decide whether the football ground stays or becomes an exhibition centre.
Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are opposing the BMC proposal to convert the Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation into an exhibition centre.
The proposal amends Development Plan (DP) 2034, changing the reservation of an 8,450 sq m MHADA-owned plot from playground to Exhibition Centre.
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi said around 400 youth clubs and 300 senior clubs use the ground, providing training to 8,000-10,000 young footballers yearly.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Yashodhar Phanse argued that Bandra-Kurla Complex already has a convention centre, so the reservation change is unnecessary.
BMC administration said the change follows an MHADA request and noted the plot was originally earmarked for a convention complex under the 1983 layout.
- Who
- Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), along with the BMC administration, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, and MHADA.
- What
- A proposal to amend Development Plan (DP) 2034 to convert the Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation from a playground reservation into an Exhibition Centre.
- Where
- Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai.
- When
- Reported on August 6, 2026; the proposal is set to be placed before the civic House for approval next week.
- Why
- Opponents want to protect open spaces and Mumbai's football ecosystem, while the BMC says the conversion would fill a lack of convention and exhibition facilities in the vicinity.
Opponents: Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)
Backers: BMC administration and MHADA
Use of the Neville D'Souza Football Ground
Opponents: Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)
The ground should remain a public sports facility because it is a cornerstone of Mumbai's football ecosystem and open spaces must be protected.
Backers: BMC administration and MHADA
The plot was originally earmarked for a convention complex under the 1983 Bandra Reclamation layout, and it is currently vacant with turf, so the conversion is appropriate.
Need for a new exhibition facility
Opponents: Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)
Bandra-Kurla Complex already has a convention centre, so there is no need to change the reservation of this playground.
Backers: BMC administration and MHADA
There is no convention or exhibition facility in the vicinity, so an Exhibition Centre reservation would fill an existing infrastructure gap.
Key facts
- Ground
- Neville D'Souza Football Ground, Bandra Reclamation
- Plot size
- 8,450 sq m
- Land owner
- Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)
- Current allotment
- Mumbai Football Association; parts of the land covered by turf
- Proposed change
- Playground reservation replaced with Exhibition Centre under DP 2034
- Opposing parties
- Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT)
- Young footballers trained yearly (per Congress)
- 8,000-10,000
Quotes
Yashodhar Phanse
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator
“At a time when the youth are already facing issues like paper leaks and limited opportunities, taking away a crucial sports ground will further hurt their prospects. If playgrounds are also taken away, how will young athletes find space to train and progress?”
freepressjournal.in
“Open spaces should not be pushed into anyone’s hands. The Bandra‑Kurla Complex already has a convention centre, so there is no need to change the reservation of this playground.”
freepressjournal.in











