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• The BMC has ordered an inquiry into the alleged misuse of 56 rooms meant for athletes at the Shahaji Raje Sports Complex in Andheri West, Mumbai.
• The probe follows allegations that the rooms were leased through an organisation and later sub-leased to a private hospitality operator.
• The controversy has renewed scrutiny of agreements linked to the sports complex’s management.
• Civic authorities will also examine complaints regarding user charges and the operation of facilities within the complex.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated an inquiry into the alleged misuse of rooms designated for athletes at the Shahaji Raje Sports Complex in Andheri West, Mumbai, following renewed political allegations concerning the management and allotment of facilities within the civic-run sports complex. The probe was ordered in the past week after inspections by elected representatives and senior civic officials.
The controversy centres on 56 rooms within the sports complex that were originally intended to accommodate sportspersons. According to allegations raised by BJP leaders, the facility was allotted by the BMC to an organisation in 2022, which subsequently sub-leased the rooms to a private hospitality operator known as Turtle Hotel. The arrangement has come under scrutiny amid claims that public sports infrastructure was diverted from its intended purpose.
The issue resurfaced after BJP Mumbai president and Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam visited the complex along with Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and senior civic officials. Following the inspection, directions were issued for a detailed inquiry into the utilisation of the rooms and the overall management of the facility. Civic authorities have been asked to submit a comprehensive report on the matter.
Former MP Kirit Somaiya alleged that dozens of rooms intended for athletes had been allotted to a private hotel operator for a five-year period during the final phase of former mayor Kishori Pednekar's tenure. He claimed the arrangement represented a misuse of public infrastructure developed for sports activities.
Pednekar rejected the allegations and stated that decisions concerning the property were taken collectively by a trust operating under the BMC. She maintained that approvals were granted through a formal process involving trustees, senior civic officials and elected representatives. According to her account, permissions granted during her tenure extended only up to February 2022, while subsequent developments occurred during the administrator-led period at the civic body. She also stated that a full inquiry should be conducted into the matter.
]eyond the room allotment issue, civic authorities have been directed to investigate complaints regarding charges levied for facilities at the complex, including the swimming pool, gymnasium, table tennis courts, gymnastics facilities and open grounds. Residents have reportedly alleged that fees exceeding prescribed rates were being collected and that certain facilities were not being utilised in accordance with their intended purpose.
The latest inquiry follows a series of allegations raised in recent weeks concerning the management of civic-run sports complexes in Mumbai, including claims of long-term leasing arrangements and commercial use of public sports infrastructure. Authorities are expected to place the findings of the investigation before the relevant trustees and civic administration once the review is completed.
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