MHADA allots 21,348 sqft land to Ajinkya Rahane to develop Cricket Academy in Mumbai

Maharshtra Government has allotted a plot measuring 21,348 square feet at Bandra West to cricketer Ajinkya Rahane for developing a well-equipped sports facility. The plot was taken as a lease of 30years for a premium of Rs.4.88 crore and lease rent as per prevailing rates of the owner Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

This allotment decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting held on Monday. Previously, the government has decided to allot the plot at a nominal fee of Rs.1, but later the state cabinet decided to charge a premium on the land. 

The plot is located in proximity of Lilavati Hospital in Bandra West, where the price of land per square feet ranges between Rs.70,000 to Rs.1,20,000 per square feet. Previously, the same land parcel was allotted to Sunil Gavaskar Cricket Foundation Trust (SGCFT) in 1988 for a period of 60 years. The trust has committed to set up Cricket academy within three years but they failed to do so.  The government has cancelled the allotment in June 2022.

MHADA passed a resolution on August 20, 2024, and they deided to handover the plot to Rahane, which was approved by the state cabinet on Monday. The land parcel needs to be taken care of properly as it was remained unused for more than 36 years.

Former Indian Test team captain and current Mumbai Ranji Trophy captain, Ajinkya Rahane, has agreed to establish a sports facility on the designated plot. As per the proposal, Rahane is not permitted to sub-lease or transfer the land, and at least 15% of the students enrolled at the facility must come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.