MCA writes to BMC seeking permission to develop and maintain Shivaji Park

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has formally written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, requesting permission to carry out development and maintenance work at Shivaji Park at its own cost. The letter, dated August 14, 2026, marks a significant administrative step by the MCA towards taking a more active role in the upkeep of one of Mumbai's most storied cricket venues.

The MCA described the ground as having “a rich cricketing legacy, historical significance and importance in Mumbai’s sporting culture."

Shivaji Park is a 28-acre ground located in Dadar, Mumbai. It is historically linked with legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar and is the ground where cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli trained as young players, making it one of the most recognised cricket venues in the country.

What has the MCA proposed to the BMC?

The MCA's letter to Municipal Commissioner Bhide is a formal request for administrative clearance to undertake development and maintenance of Shivaji Park. The association has offered to bear the full cost of the proposed work, though neither the scope of the planned improvements nor the budget has been disclosed in the letter.

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The MCA closed its letter with an appeal for cooperation, stating:

"We firmly believe that this initiative to preserve and promote Mumbai’s rich cricketing heritage will receive positive cooperation from your office."

As reported by The Indian Express, BMC has not yet issued a public response to the MCA's request, and no timeline for a decision has been confirmed.

What is the BMC already planning for Shivaji Park?

Separately from the MCA's proposal, the BMC has been preparing its own beautification and illumination project around the periphery of Shivaji Park. The civic body invited tenders for this project in November 2025, with the work estimated at Rs 2.25 crore.

The BMC's project covers repairs to the heritage-style katta, broken tiles, tree surrounds and guards, as well as illumination around sculptures in and around the park. The MCA's letter and the BMC's own beautification initiative now run as parallel efforts, with the relationship between the two plans yet to be formally clarified by either body.