Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Mumbai Football Ground Faces Proposed Convention Centre Conversion
A football ground in Mumbai may be changed into a convention centre.
The ground is large and is regularly used for football.
The Mumbai Football Association asked the Bombay High Court to protect it.
The court told the authorities to keep things as they were.
However, the city corporation later approved changing the land’s official use.
The court then told the corporation not to take more steps for now.
People opposing the plan say Mumbai needs more parks and playgrounds.
Supporters of redevelopment view the site as part of a commercial redevelopment plan.
The final decision about the ground has not been settled.
The 8,450-square-metre Neville D’souza Football Ground in Bandra Reclamation faces conversion into a convention and exhibition centre.
The Mumbai Football Association approached the Bombay High Court, which ordered the parties to maintain the status quo.
Despite the court order, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation general body approved the reservation change on August 18.
The court later directed the civic body not to take further steps, but the proposed conversion remains possible.
Reports cited in the article say the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation changed reservations for 17 land parcels in four years, including 14 between 2023 and 2025.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Mumbai Football Association, the Bombay High Court, and residents and users of the ground are involved.
- What
- A proposal would change the Neville D’souza Football Ground’s reservation from playground to convention and exhibition centre.
- When
- The dispute began in June; the civic general body approved the change on August 18, and the court subsequently ordered the corporation not to take further steps.
- Where
- Neville D’souza Football Ground, Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai.
- Why
- The proposed change is connected to a redevelopment plan, while opponents argue that the city needs to preserve scarce public open spaces.
Preserve the Playground
Redevelop the Site
Public open space versus commercial development
Preserve the Playground
Opponents say the football ground is regularly used, and Mumbai needs to protect scarce parks, playgrounds, and natural open spaces.
Redevelop the Site
The redevelopment plan, as described in the article, identifies the plot as a convention centre and treats it as part of a major commercial redevelopment project.
Reservation change
Preserve the Playground
The Mumbai Football Association and other opponents challenge changing the land’s reservation from playground to convention centre.
Redevelop the Site
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation general body approved the reservation change, although the Bombay High Court subsequently directed the civic body not to take further steps.
Civic responsibility
Preserve the Playground
Critics argue that the corporation is a custodian of public land and should prioritize public needs over commercial interests.
Redevelop the Site
The article does not present a detailed public justification from the corporation for the conversion, but reports that the site appears as a convention centre in the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority redevelopment plan.
- Ground size
- 8,450 square metres
- Current designation
- Playground in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Development Plan 2034
- Proposed use
- Convention and exhibition centre
- Court action
- The Bombay High Court ordered status quo and later directed the civic body not to take further steps.
- Reported reservation changes
- 17 land parcels across Mumbai reportedly had their reservations changed in four years.
- Changes during 2023–2025
- 14 of the reported 17 reservation changes occurred between 2023 and 2025.
- Ground history
- The ground is named after Neville D’souza, described in the article as the first Asian player to score a hat-trick in an Olympic football match.