MHADA tells Bombay HC that MFA has no right to Bandra football ground

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has told the Bombay High Court that the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) holds no legal or proprietary right to the Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation. MHADA is challenging the MFA's petition against the proposed conversion of the plot into an exhibition and convention centre.

In its affidavit, MHADA termed the MFA's petition "misconceived, premature and not maintainable." It argued that the association's use was based only on temporary and conditional permissions that expired on September 21, 2024, and did not create any vested right over the land. MHADA said such permissions required the association to hand over the land whenever required.

The 4.18 lakh sq ft plot at Bandra came into MHADA's possession in 1964. The authority said it has approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation regarding the land's current reservation as a playground under the sanctioned Development Plan.