Mumbai: On Monday, the Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, approved cricketer Ajinkya Rahane’s 30-year lease on a 2,000-square-metre plot of land at Bandra Reclamation for setting up a sports facility.
Previously, this site was given to veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in 1988 for an indoor cricket training facility.
But, as no work was done on this plot, the government reclaimed it from Gavaskar.
Following the plot’s abandonment, slum inhabitants utilised it for illegal activities.
As a result, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) passed a resolution recommending that the state government award Rahane the property.
Rahane thanked the Maharashtra government for its decision.
In his post on social media platform X, Rahane said, “Thank you Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and BCCI Treasurer Ashish Shelar for supporting my vision of a world-class cricket academy and sports facility in Mumbai. This academy will empower young sportspersons with top-notch facilities and guidance, fostering the next generation of champions in the city where my own cricketing journey began. Grateful for your encouragement and leadership inspiring a bright future for Maharashtra.”
The Chief Minister’s office said in a statement that the 2,000-square-metre plot given to Gavaskar in 1988 was vacant.
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In 2022, Gavaskar conveyed to the state government that he could not set up a cricket academy on the plot.
Thereafter, MHADA cancelled the allocation of that plot to Gavaskar.
According to sources in the Urban Development Department, the plot’s strategic location near the Lilavati Hospital and adjacent to the Western Expressway adds significant value. The plot, which will cost between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh per square foot, is estimated to be worth around Rs 10 crore.
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–IANS
