Bombay High Court severely criticizes Maharashtra Government for increased commercialization; overrules decision to relocate sports complex 

The Bombay High Court has overruled the Maharashtra government’s 2021 decision to relocate a sports complex from Navi Mumbai to a remote area in Mangaon’s Raigad district.

A division bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Jitendra Jain of Bombay High Court made the remarks while highlighting the importance of sports in the development of the nation. The court believes that sports should also be a priority alongside the ‘commercialization and concretization mantra.’

It is to be noted a 20-acre sports complex site in Navi Mumbai was initially proposed in 2003. In the year 2016, the property was partially given to a private developer for commercial purposes.

Indian Institute of Architects, Navi Mumbai Centre, later, challenged the state government’s decision to shift the sports complex and also the Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (CIDCO) for allocating the land to a private developer.

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“A progressive state can never be oblivious of such needs of the society”- Bombay High Court

In response to the litigation filed by the Indian Institute of Architects, the division bench lashed out at the state government for not developing playgrounds and sports complexes.

"A progressive state can never be oblivious of such needs of the society," the division bench stated (via The Bridge).

"The authorities are required to be alive to not only the present but the future rights of citizens for open places, playgrounds, and sports complexes," the bench added.

Bombay High Court further said that the increased commercial exploitation needs to be curtailed.

"We may observe that considering the present plight of metro cities as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai or the adjoining areas have developed further concretization and commercial exploitation on lands earmarked for such public facilities certainly needs to be curtailed," they said.

The Bombay High Court highlighted the importance of sports in the overall growth of citizens in a country. The HC informed the government to take strict action on the same:

"Sports play a significant role in the development of citizens and the nation and it is high time the government also becomes conscious of this fact," the judges said.