Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Mumbai Gymkhanas Could Face Market Rent and Wider Public Access
Some Mumbai clubs use land leased from the government.
A state committee has suggested that these clubs pay rent closer to what the land is worth.
It also recommends a fee of at least Rs 1.5 lakh for each event.
Inspectors reportedly found some unapproved building work and events that officials had not been told about.
The committee wants the government to be able to hold events at the clubs and use their grounds in emergencies or during elections.
It also wants ordinary people, not only members, to have better access.
The recommendations come as some clubs’ land leases are being renewed.
The government may use the report to make a new policy, but the recommendations are not described as final rules.
A state committee recommends market-rate rent for Mumbai gymkhanas on government land, revised every five years.
The panel proposes a minimum licence fee of Rs 1.5 lakh for every event hosted by a club.
Inspections reportedly found unauthorised construction, including an extension that blocked an emergency exit, and events held without the collector’s knowledge.
Recommendations would allow government programmes and public events at the clubs, and use of the grounds during disasters or elections.
The report is expected to inform a new policy as leases expire; the Bombay, Parsee and Hindu Gymkhanas’ leases have already run out.
- Who
- A state committee reviewing Mumbai gymkhanas on government-leased land.
- What
- It recommended market-rate rent, event fees, government use of club grounds and improved access for non-members.
- When
- The committee was established in February and submitted its report to the state revenue department last month; the article says the recommendations follow six months of inspections.
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The state is reviewing how the clubs use leased land, following reported inspection findings and as leases expire or come up for renewal.
- Rent proposal
- Market-rate rent, revised every five years.
- Event fee proposal
- A minimum licence fee of Rs 1.5 lakh per event.
- Inspections
- Nine teams of government officials visited the gymkhanas several times over six months.
- Government use
- The panel recommends government programmes and public events at the premises, as well as use during disasters or elections.
- Land footprint
- An Observer Research Foundation report says gymkhanas and VIP clubs occupy 664 acres, nearly a fifth of Mumbai’s 3,780 acres of open space.
- Open space per resident
- The cited report says Mumbaikars have an average of 1.28 square metres of open space each.
- Leases
- The leases of the Bombay, Parsee and Hindu Gymkhanas have expired and are up for renewal.