Archive · 19 Sep 2026
MHADA Challenges MFA’s Claim Over Bandra Football Ground
MHADA and the Mumbai Football Association disagree about who can use a football ground in Bandra.
The association has challenged plans to change the land’s designation.
MHADA says the association only had temporary permission to use and maintain the ground.
It says that permission ended on September 21, 2024.
MHADA also says temporary permission did not give the association ownership or a permanent right to the land.
The authority wants the plot to be considered for an exhibition and convention centre.
Any change to the land’s official use must follow a legal process that allows people to object.
The court has paused further changes until it hears the matter again on October 8.
MHADA told the Bombay High Court that the Mumbai Football Association has no legal or proprietary right over Neville D’Souza Football Ground.
The authority said the association’s latest permission to use the plot expired on September 21, 2024.
MHADA said the 4.18 lakh sq ft parcel is proposed for conversion into an exhibition and convention centre, subject to statutory approval.
The authority has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to restore the plot’s earlier “Convention Complex” reservation.
The court continued its stay preventing further changes to the reservation until the next hearing on October 8.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority and the Mumbai Football Association are the main parties, with the Bombay High Court hearing the dispute.
- What
- MHADA is seeking dismissal of the Mumbai Football Association’s challenge to the proposed redevelopment and reservation change of Neville D’Souza Football Ground.
- When
- MHADA’s affidavit was reported on September 18, 2026; the next hearing is scheduled for October 8.
- Where
- Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation in Mumbai.
- Why
- MHADA says the association’s temporary permission expired and created no legal or proprietary right, while any reservation change must follow the statutory process.
MHADA’s Position
Mumbai Football Association’s Position
Right to use the ground
MHADA’s Position
MHADA says the association used the land only under temporary, conditional permissions that created no legal, proprietary, or vested right.
Mumbai Football Association’s Position
The Mumbai Football Association has challenged the proposed redevelopment, asserting that its use of the ground should be protected; the article does not provide its detailed arguments.
Validity of the challenge
MHADA’s Position
MHADA calls the petition misconceived, premature, and not maintainable because the statutory reservation-change process has not been completed.
Mumbai Football Association’s Position
The association has asked the Bombay High Court to intervene before the proposed conversion of the ground, according to the article.
Future land use
MHADA’s Position
MHADA wants the earlier “Convention Complex” designation restored and says the plot could be converted into an exhibition and convention centre through the required legal process.
Mumbai Football Association’s Position
The association is opposing the proposed redevelopment of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground; the article does not state its preferred alternative designation.
- Land parcel
- The plot forms part of a larger 4.18 lakh sq ft parcel that MHADA says came into its possession in 1964.
- Property record
- MHADA’s name was entered in the property card in 1973.
- Current reservation
- The present sanctioned Development Plan shows the plot as a “Play Ground,” following approval on May 22, 2023.
- Earlier designation
- The 1983 sanctioned Development Plan designated the plot as a “Convention Complex.”
- Permission expiry
- The last permission cited by the Mumbai Football Association expired on September 21, 2024.
- Statutory process
- MHADA said a reservation change must proceed under Section 37 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.
- Court protection
- The Bombay High Court continued its stay on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation taking further steps to change the reservation until October 8.