# Bombay HC seeks BMC reply on Neville D’Souza ground conversion 2026-08-10T17:53:19+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file a reply by August 20 to a petition against converting Bandra’s Neville D’Souza Football Ground into an exhibition and convention centre. The court also allowed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to file its response. The next hearing is on August 24 at 3 pm. The Mumbai Football Association (MFA), which manages the 8,450-square-metre ground, argues that the change violates natural justice as it was not heard. The Free Press Journal reports the ground has FIFA-standard turf, seating for 5,000, and hosts over 900 matches yearly, serving 400 youth clubs, 300 senior teams and 10,000 players. The MFA says the conversion would destroy a key sporting amenity. MHADA counters that the land was originally earmarked for a convention complex and that revenue from the project would fund affordable housing. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - freepressjournal.in Tags: Bandra football ground, BMC, Bombay High Court, MHADA, Mumbai Football Association, open spaces Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bombay-hc-seeks-bmc-reply-on-bandra-football-ground-plea/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bombay-hc-seeks-bmc-reply-on-bandra-football-ground-plea/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.