Neville D’Souza ground row: BMC changed reservations of 17 city plots in 4 years, civic records show

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come under fire for allegedly changing the reservations of 17 land parcels across Mumbai over a four-year period, despite claims that the Development Plan framework (DP) allows for modifications as needed. The controversy intensified following revelations that 14 of these changes occurred between 2023 and 2025, amid a lack of elected municipal officials due to deferred elections in 2022.

Civic records obtained by Congress leader and corporator Ashraf Azmi reveal that 8 of the 17 plots were initially designated for gardens, recreation areas, or natural open spaces, while others were earmarked for public amenities like schools, hospitals, municipal offices, transport depots, and asphalt plants.

Civic records show that the BMC altered the reservation of a portion of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in October 2024, converting it from a natural space to a commercial zone. In February 2024, a plot in Byculla reserved for the extension of the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo was changed to a residential zone. A salt pan parcel in Mazgaon, originally designated for recreational use, was converted into a facility for VVPAT storage and government offices in April 2026.

Other modifications include a recreational plot in Dahisar, converted in January 2026 into a community hall, and Nahur, where a recreational ground was transformed into an aviary or bird park in April 2025.

Azmi has questioned the frequent and significant nature of these changes, particularly considering the commercial value of several affected locations. He argues that the administrative changes undermine the DP's purpose, suggesting that the administration is prioritizing land distribution over public well-being and open space creation.

A BMC spokesperson, however, clarified that alterations to reservation do not necessarily equate to land transfers to private entities. They stated that such modifications aim to ensure equitable distribution of the city's land resources and that any long-term changes to reservations can be made as required.