The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) expressed disapproval of the Mahayuti government’s decision to allow the construction of five-star hotels and malls on land previously designated for sports. The party accused the government of attempting to convert Mumbai’s sports and recreational areas into commercial spaces for financial gain, bypassing legal requirements.
The government’s move involves amending the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) to create ‘Integrated Sports Complexes’. This policy proposes a split of land use, with 70% reserved for sports and 30% for commercial purposes on open spaces larger than five hectares in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and ten hectares elsewhere in Maharashtra.
The Shiv Sena criticized this initiative as a “Builder Sports Policy” that could lead to corruption rather than sports development. Concerns were raised about the potential for contractors and political allies to profit from commercial ventures, jeopardizing the availability of land for sports activities. The party questioned the rationale behind the Urban Development Department spearheading the project instead of the Sports Department.
The Shiv Sena highlighted the risk posed to significant open spaces like Shivaji Park, Azad Maidan, and iconic venues such as Wankhede and Brabourne Stadiums. The party warned that converting these spaces into elite clubhouses for the wealthy could severely impact the state’s sports culture, leaving future generations with limited access to recreational areas. Transparency was demanded from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding land selections and the allocation of revenue from commercial sales.
