Concern over the future of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground in Bandra West has reached the Maharashtra Legislative Council, with a legislator urging the state government to halt a proposal that could convert part of the site into a public convention centre. The issue has gathered momentum after BMC proposed changing the Development Plan (DP) for 8,450 square metres of the land. Footballers, coaches, residents and sporting bodies have opposed the move, arguing that Mumbai cannot afford to lose one of its few dedicated football venues.
Legislative Council hears concerns
The ground has become a vital venue for grassroots football. It hosts coaching camps, school tournaments, local leagues and competitive matches. Thousands of players use the facility every year. The issue has drawn support from football associations and leaders across party lines. It has now become part of a wider debate on Mumbai’s shrinking playgrounds and open spaces.
A FIFA-standard football facility
The Neville D’Souza Football Ground was inaugurated in 2018. It was built by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to FIFA-standard specifications. The facility has an international-standard artificial turf and seating for around 5,000 spectators. Named after Neville D’Souza, the first Indian footballer to score an Olympic hat-trick, the ground has become a major venue for grassroots football. It regularly hosts coaching programmes, league matches and tournaments.
The ground is currently leased to the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA), which manages football activities at the venue.
Why authorities support the proposal
The dispute centres on BMC’s proposal to change the Development Plan 2034 reservation. The land would be redesignated from a sports ground to an exhibition or convention facility. The land is owned by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). MHADA requested the change.
According to civic officials, the plot was originally reserved for a convention centre under the 1983 Development Plan. They say the sports reservation was introduced later and does not reflect the site’s original planning purpose.
Authorities argue that restoring the earlier reservation will allow MHADA to develop a public convention facility. They also say the locality lacks such infrastructure. Officials have added that some open space would remain within the project.
MHADA has also clarified that the football ground has only been leased for sporting activities. Ownership of the land has remained with the authority.
Part of a wider planning debate
The controversy extends beyond a single football ground. The Neville D’Souza proposal is among several recent Development Plan changes approved by BMC. Together, they affect more than 11,400 square metres of land across multiple sites in Mumbai.
The scale of these changes has raised concerns among urban planners and residents. They have questioned whether repeated modifications could gradually reshape the city’s long-term planning framework.
Football community seeks safeguards
Football associations, residents and sporting organisations have urged the government to reconsider the proposal.
Their key demands include:
- Withdraw the proposal to convert the football ground into a convention centre.
- Retain the entire site for sports and recreation.
- Grant the ground permanent protection through a playground reservation.
- Consult football associations, residents and sporting bodies before changing the land use.
- Introduce a wider policy to protect Mumbai’s playgrounds from non-sporting development.
The proposal remains under consideration. The debate has grown into a larger discussion on balancing urban development with the preservation of sports infrastructure in Mumbai.
