Now Reading: MCA seeks BMC nod to develop Shivaji Park ground
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MCA seeks BMC nod to develop Shivaji Park ground
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has sought permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to develop and maintain Shivaji Park ground at its own cost. In a letter to the municipal commissioner,…
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has sought permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to develop and maintain Shivaji Park ground at its own cost. In a letter to the municipal commissioner, MCA president Ajinkya Naik highlighted the ground's cricketing heritage, where Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli trained under coach Ramakant Achrekar, and said the work would follow BMC rules.
A BMC G-North ward official said the proposal is under consideration, noting the MCA could take over tasks like soil sprinkling and rainwater harvesting. Former India batsman Pravin Amre, president of Shivaji Park Gymkhana, welcomed the move, saying tennis-ball cricket by outsiders has prevented professional matches on Sundays and bank holidays. He added that MCA resources could better maintain the ground after public rallies. A decision from the BMC is expected soon.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Shivaji Park is a notified heritage precinct, and any development on it requires approval from the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee as well as the BMC. The ground is civic property leased to roughly 30 cricket clubs, which have long complained that non-professional tennis-ball cricket crowds have made it impossible to run organised season-ball matches on weekends. The MCA's proposal shifts the maintenance burden from the BMC to the cricket body, but the real test is whether the heritage committee and local political interests, public meetings and rallies also use the ground, will allow the MCA to control access and scheduling. The BMC's decision is expected in weeks.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
