Archive · 27 Aug 2026
SVKM Defends Mumbai Sports Grounds Plan Amid Public Opposition
SVKM wants to manage three sports grounds in Mumbai for a limited time.
The trust says people will still be able to use the grounds.
It plans to build sports facilities at the large Andheri site.
It also plans open gyms and grass turfs at two smaller grounds.
The land will still belong to BMC or MHADA.
SVKM says it will pay for construction, operations and maintenance.
Some local residents disagree with the plan and have challenged it in court.
The Bombay High Court is considering a public interest litigation about the redevelopment.
SVKM says three Mumbai grounds will remain open spaces accessible to the public.
The sites cover 14.11 acres and remain owned by BMC or MHADA, not SVKM.
SVKM plans a sports arena at Andheri and improvements at two smaller MHADA grounds.
The Andheri contract followed a BMC tender in which SVKM offered a 50% revenue share.
Residents oppose the redevelopment, and a public interest litigation is pending before the Bombay High Court.
- Who
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM), local residents, BMC, MHADA and opponents including Aaditya Thackeray are involved.
- What
- SVKM plans to develop and operate three Mumbai sports grounds under limited-period arrangements while retaining their open-space and sports uses.
- When
- The BMC tender for the Andheri complex was floated on September 25, 2025; SVKM issued the reported clarification on August 26, 2026.
- Where
- The sites are Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krida Sankul in Andheri, Lokmanya Tilak Garden in Juhu and the D.N. Nagar Cement Godown in Mumbai.
- Why
- SVKM says the plan will improve sports infrastructure and community facilities, while opponents have raised concerns about the redevelopment of public open grounds.
Opponents and Residents
SVKM and Project Supporters
Use of Public Grounds
Opponents and Residents
Local residents and opponents object to the proposed redevelopment of the three open grounds and have supported legal and public opposition.
SVKM and Project Supporters
SVKM says the grounds will remain open spaces for public and sports-related use, with additional facilities such as turfs and open gyms.
Control and Ownership
Opponents and Residents
The public interest litigation reflects concerns about the proposed arrangements for public land and facilities.
SVKM and Project Supporters
SVKM says it will not own the land, which will remain with BMC or MHADA, and that the licences are for limited periods.
Project Benefits
Opponents and Residents
Opponents, including Aaditya Thackeray, have protested the open-ground allotments and the proposed redevelopment.
SVKM and Project Supporters
SVKM says it will fund construction, operations and maintenance, provide coaches and trainers, and create a wider sports ecosystem for Mumbai's young people.
- Total area
- The three sites cover 14.11 acres.
- Land ownership
- Ownership remains with BMC or MHADA, depending on the site.
- Andheri facility
- The 11.57-acre Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krida Sankul is planned as a sports arena with turfs and athletics tracks.
- Smaller sites
- Lokmanya Tilak Garden measures 0.92 acres and the D.N. Nagar site measures 1.62 acres.
- Tender result
- SVKM said seven entities bid for the Andheri project and that it offered the highest revenue share, at 50%.
- Planned investment
- SVKM estimates an investment of 50 to 75 crore rupees for a sports complex.
- Planned staffing
- SVKM plans to add 40 to 50 sports personnel at the Andheri complex.