2 weeks ago
Bombay HC Advances Hearing Over BMC Neville D’Souza Ground Plan
Mumbai’s civic body approved a plan to change a football ground into a place for exhibitions and conventions.
The ground is Neville D’Souza Football Ground in Bandra Reclamation.
The Mumbai Football Association asked the Bombay High Court to stop or review the change.
The association said the civic body had promised to wait before making a final decision.
It also said the public and other users should have been allowed to give suggestions and objections.
The court moved the hearing to Thursday instead of August 24.
The court has not yet ruled that the BMC’s decision is invalid.
It said it would examine the decision if it was not consistent with the earlier assurance.
The BMC General Body approved changing Neville D’Souza Football Ground’s reservation from a playground to an exhibition or convention centre.
The ground is located at Bandra Reclamation and covers 8,450 square metres.
The Bombay High Court advanced the Mumbai Football Association’s challenge from August 24 to Thursday.
The MFA said the BMC acted despite orally assuring the court on August 10 that it would await the next hearing and follow the required procedure.
The court said it would deal with the decision if it found the BMC’s action inconsistent with what had previously transpired.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai Football Association, Bombay High Court, and Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority.
- What
- The BMC approved a proposal to change the ground’s reservation for an exhibition or convention centre, prompting an MFA challenge.
- Where
- Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai.
- When
- The approval was made one day before the Wednesday hearing; the next hearing was advanced to Thursday. The BMC gave its oral assurance on August 10.
- Why
- The MFA said the BMC acted despite assuring the court that it would follow a procedure involving stakeholder suggestions and objections before deciding.
BMC and Land-Use Proposal
Football Association’s Challenge
Future use of the site
BMC and Land-Use Proposal
The BMC General Body approved changing the ground’s reservation for an exhibition or convention centre. MHADA has maintained that the land was originally earmarked for a convention complex.
Football Association’s Challenge
The MFA is challenging the proposed change and says the site is an important football ground used by clubs, teams, players, and spectators.
Procedure before approval
BMC and Land-Use Proposal
The BMC proceeded with a General Body decision based on a recommendation from its civic Improvements Committee.
Football Association’s Challenge
The MFA said the BMC had orally assured the court that it would not take a decision before the next hearing and would first invite suggestions and objections from stakeholders.
Studies and consultation
BMC and Land-Use Proposal
The articles report the proposal and the stated land-use rationale but do not provide the BMC’s response to the MFA’s allegations.
Football Association’s Challenge
The MFA alleged that it was not given an opportunity to be heard and that no sports impact assessment, user survey, or feasibility study was conducted.
Key facts
- Civic body
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
- Affected site
- Neville D’Souza Football Ground
- Location
- Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai
- Ground area
- 8,450 square metres
- Approved proposal
- Change the reservation from a playground to an exhibition or convention centre
- Court schedule
- The plea originally scheduled for August 24 was advanced to Thursday
- Earlier assurance
- On August 10, the BMC orally assured the court that it would follow the procedure, including inviting stakeholders’ suggestions and objections
- Court response
- The court said it would deal with the decision if it found the BMC’s action inappropriate in light of the earlier hearing
Quotes
Justice Ravindra Ghuge
Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court
“If we feel any decision was taken which is not appropriate as per what transpired on that day, we will be dealing with it.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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