The BMC and MHADA – majority land owners in the city of Mumbai have brazenly handed over 16 acres of public open spaces across 3 parcels of land in Vile Parle and Andheri which are designated or reserved in the sanctioned Development Plan (DP) to a Private for profit organization for the use and benefit of its institutions. These three lands namely Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Krida Sankul, the Lokmanya Tilak Udyan and the MHADA Cement Godown plots are reserved as lands for a public sports complex, a playground and a recreation ground respectively strictly for the benefit of the general public.

The BMC and MHADA are caretakers of all open spaces that fall under their purview. As institutions of the State, they are expected to ensure that their actions do not violate Law or any obligation to the Public at large. This particular case of handing over these lands to a private institution are in direct violation of these statutory regulations. 

Sports facilities and playgrounds must be promoted but the diversion of reserved public open spaces to the exclusive use of a single private for profit educational trust promotes a severely detrimental trend in an already public open space-starved Mumbai.  This move is likely to have a severe impact on residents of Mumbai who deserve the right to enjoy public spaces but which is wrongfully frittered away to further private interests. The Gulmohar Area Societies Welfare Group has already filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court challenging this move. 

We must act NOW. With strong public opposition to this land grab, we will succeed in stalling such initiatives, and ensure that public lands remain solely for the use of the Public.