MHADA stated to Bombay High Court that MFA has no permanent legal or proprietary right over the 8,450-square-metre Neville D'Souza football ground at Bandra Reclamation. MFA's temporary permission was valid from September 22, 2019, to September 21, 2024. MHADA argued MFA cannot claim continued use merely because earlier temporary permissions were granted.

The property was originally reserved for a convention and trade fair centre in 1983. About 15 years ago (around 2011) its use was temporarily permitted to MFA. The property is subsequently marked as recreation ground under Development Plan 2034.

In November 2025, MHADA wrote to BMC seeking restoration of the property's original reservation. In May 2026, BMC's improvements committee recommended altering the reservation under revised DP 2034, prompting MFA to approach Bombay High Court.

BMC orally assured the court on August 10 that status quo would be maintained, but the proposal was subsequently taken forward by BMC general body on August 18. MFA alleged this breached the court assurance.

MHADA maintained its November 2025 communication was only a request and not a final statutory decision. MHADA stated that prescribed procedures under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act 1966 would need to be followed if proceedings for changing reservation are initiated.

MHADA stated MFA's use of Neville D'Souza Football Ground was based only on temporary and conditional permissions that created no vested rights. MFA's last permission expired September 21, 2024. MHADA said permissions were temporary, subject to conditions, and required the association to hand over land when needed.

The 4.18 lakh sq ft plot at Bandra came into MHADA's possession in 1964; its name was entered in the property card in 1973. The plot was designated "Convention Complex" under the 1983 Development Plan. A 2002 proposal to change reservation to "Commercial Complex" was not pursued. The current sanctioned Development Plan shows the plot as "Play Ground" following sanction granted May 22, 2023.

MAHADA approached BMC on November 3, 2025, seeking restoration of "Convention Complex" designation. Any change in reservation must follow statutory procedure under Section 37 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, including publication of formal proposal and opportunity for objections. MHADA argued the statutory process had not been completed, making MFA's challenge premature.

Bombay HC bench of Chief Justice MC Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna continued the stay on BMC taking further steps to change the reservation until the next hearing on October 8.

Bandra Bay, at Bandra Reclamation, is emerging as a premium waterfront micro-market competing with Worli for luxury residential demand in Mumbai. Nearly 8 million sq ft of residential and retail projects are planned in the location.

Hiranandani Communities is launching Bay Heights, a single residential tower of 5 lakh sq ft with 2.5, 3, and 4 bedroom residences starting at ₹12 crore and exceeding ₹15 crore. This is a Mhada society redevelopment venture.

Adani Properties is launching a 20-acre mixed-use development this quarter, with sea-facing apartments sold by invitation only in the initial phase. The second phase (13-14 acres) will include residences, retail, hotel, and office space.

L&T Realty and Valor Estate Ltd are developing a 20-acre project tentatively named Riverwalk, a mixed-use development with luxury residences, office, retail, and a hotel operated by Advent Hotels International, with estimated gross development value of ₹11,000 crore; expected launch by 2028.

Other developers with planned launches: Oberoi Realty, Wadhwa Group, Godrej Properties.

Location advantages: uninterrupted Arabian Sea views, proximity to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), connectivity via Bandra-Worli Sea Link, coastal road network, and Western Express Highway.

Worli property prices in high-quality projects reach ₹1 lakh per sq ft and above. Bandra Bay is expected to catch up to Worli in pricing and demand over the next decade.

Bandra Reclamation, a middle-class coastal neighbourhood built on landfill decades ago, is undergoing transformation into 'Bandra Bay', a luxury waterfront precinct. The cluster development plan announced by Maharashtra government in April 2025 targets 52 MHADA buildings (1,631 families in flats of 322–825 sq ft), private housing societies, and slums for redevelopment into 800 luxury apartments averaging ₹55,000/sq ft, totalling 8 million sq ft.

Eleven builders have cornered projects: Oberoi Realty, Godrej Properties, L&T Realty, The Wadhwa Group, Excel Group, Hiranandani Communities, DLH, Adani Realty, Valor Estate, Elements Realty, Gurukrupa Realcon, and Inspira Realty. Named projects in construction include Akshaya and Safalya (DLH); New Deep (Excel); Poonam, Indraneel, Kaustubh (Elements); Mayur, Sandhya Vandan (Gurukrupa); Sagar Tarang (Inspira).

Key features: marina in Mahim Bay, athletics track, archery range, shooting range, cricket academy, football ground, five-star hotel on 150 acres. Developers expected to invest over ₹1 lakh crore over next few years. In February 2024, Adani Realty acquired 24 acres from Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (22.79% revenue share); development value ₹30,000 crore. L&T partnered with Valor Estate for ₹8,500 crore redevelopment of 7.5 acres on Bazaar Road.

MHADA residents will receive new flats of 829–1,615 sq ft. Regulatory changes: Coastal Regulation Zone reclassified Mahim and Backbay as 'bays' (2016), reducing no-development zone from 500m to 100m; further reduced to 50m in 2019. Cluster development requires only 51% resident consent. Floor Space Index of 4 permitted, with FSI of 1 for MHADA housing.

Excel Infra Construction announced investment of Rs 250 crore (also stated as Rs 252 crore) to develop luxury residential project 'Bellissima' at Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai. Funding through mix of equity and Alternative Investment Fund structured as non-convertible debentures. 33-storey residential tower with 96 units. Apartments priced at Rs 51,500 per square foot. Expected revenue Rs 400 crore. Promoter Virendra Vora stated company will deliver project ahead of scheduled completion date using advanced construction technology. Excel Infra has developed over 20 projects across Mumbai.