On Monday, the Maharashtra cabinet granted approval for a 2,000 square-meter land lease in the prestigious Bandra neighborhood of Mumbai to renowned cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. The leased land will be used for the development of a sports complex, aimed at promoting athletic activities and training. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure and providing opportunities for aspiring athletes in the region, leveraging Rahane’s influence in the sporting community.
Maharashtra Govt Alloted a Plot to Ajinkya Rahane:
Originally allocated to cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar in 1988 for an indoor training academy, the plot remained unused for over three decades. Despite Gavaskar’s vision for the facility, it was never developed, leading to the recent decision to lease the land to Ajinkya Rahane. This transfer aims to finally bring the site to life by creating a sports complex that will benefit aspiring athletes and the community.
The Maharashtra cabinet has approved a proposal from the Revenue Department to lease a land parcel to cricketer Ajinkya Rahane for 30 years. This initiative aims to create modern sports facilities. Previously, the plot was allocated to Sunil Gavaskar for an indoor cricket training academy, but it remained undeveloped.
Due to the lack of progress, the government reclaimed the land, which has deteriorated over the years. Reports indicate that slum dwellers have misused the site for unauthorized activities, prompting this decision.
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MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority) passed a resolution to lease the plot to Ajinkya Rahane, which received approval from the council of ministers. In 2021, former state Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad pointed out the lack of development on the site since it was allocated to Sunil Gavaskar, emphasizing the need for a new direction to utilize the land effectively for sports initiatives.
Jitendra Awhad said, “ I had almost decided to cancel the allotment of the 2,000 sq metre plot located in Bandra. Despite its huge size and prime location, the proposed cricket academy has not yet been established. I did not cancel the allotment because of Gavaskar’s stature and his great contribution to the game.”
The land was originally assigned to Gavaskar for establishing a cricket academy, and he was urged to use it for that purpose. However, in May 2022, the cricket legend returned the plot, which had been allocated to the Sunil Gavaskar Cricket Foundation Trust, back to the state government, allowing for new opportunities to develop the site.
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