PIL seeks demolition of new stadium

A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court has sought demolition of newly constructed indoor complex at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium (SVPS) in south Mumbai.

A public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court has sought demolition of newly constructed indoor complex at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium (SVPS) in south Mumbai.

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National Sports Club of India has constructed the new complex in the closed stadium.

The petitioner, 'Society for Promotion of Equality, Awareness and Rights', said several laws have been violated in the process.

"Division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice S.C. Dharmadhikari have given three weeks to the NSCI and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to file their replies," said advocate Ameya Tamne, the petitioner's lawyer.

The petitioners' main contention is that no new construction is allowed in the Green Zone and Coastal Regulation Zone. The PIL alleges that under the garb of 'reconstruction', a totally new structure has been built, converting a once open-to-sky grounds into a closed stadium.

MCGM has turned a blind eye to the violation of conditions on which reconstruction was allowed, it says.

As per the petition, Floor Space Index of .15 is permitted in CRZ, but NSCI consumed FSI of 1.0 to build the new stadium. "It has reduced the size of the stadium...Playground has completely vanished," the petition says.