It is official: Bandra’s Neville D’Souza football ground to make way for convention centre

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's general body has approved a proposal to convert the historic Neville D Souza football ground in Bandra into a convention and exhibition centre, despite objections from the opposition. Inaugurated in 2018, the ground is one of Mumbai's few dedicated football venues. The civic improvements committee approved the proposal in June, and on Tuesday night, Mayor Ritu Tawde cleared the move to change the ground's reservation.

Opposition corporator Raja Rahebar Khan argued that the ground holds significant historical value and has nurtured over 200 football clubs. In response, Mayor Tawde explained that the reservation change had been discussed within the improvement committee and noted that the ground had fallen into disrepair due to antisocial elements.

She defended the change, stating that the ground was originally reserved as a convention centre by the Maharashtra Urban Development Authority, and the BMC's DP 2034 plan had also suggested it as a playground. However, the proposal has faced criticism from football associations and local residents, with the Mumbai District Football Association even filing a complaint in the Bombay High Court, demanding a reply by August 24.