MMB Plans To Revoke BBRT’s Bandra Bandstand Maintenance Rights Over Financial And Partnership Concerns

The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has proposed revoking the maintenance rights granted to the Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust (BBRT) over the iconic Bandstand promenade, citing financial irregularities and unauthorized corporate partnerships. The controversy erupted after BBRT allegedly entered into an unauthorized partnership with pharmaceutical company USV Pvt Ltd, without obtaining prior approval from the maritime authority.

The dispute intensified when the MMB removed the board's name from the Central Garden entrance, displaying only its own name instead. Regional Port Officer Capt. CJ Lepande recommended that the MMB cancel BBRT's long-standing NOC and take direct control of the 1.1km promenade, noting that the board had been maintaining the area since 2002 at a cost of Rs 10.06 crore in major structural and beautification works between 2019 and 2022.

The MMB claims that BBRT has failed to submit its financial statements and audit reports for the past five years, despite multiple demands. BBRT has stated that it maintains proper accounts and cooperates with authorities, but has not yet provided the requested documents.