MUMBAI: Brihanmumbai Kreeda and Lalit Kala Pratishthan (BKLP) which runs BMC’s Andheri Sports Complex and Mulund’s Kalidas Natya Mandir, has called for expression of interest (EoI) from private players to upgrade and run the two centres on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.
The opposition BJP has opposed the move, saying this is nothing but an attempt to privatise the two centres and turn them into high-end clubs making them unaffordable for the common man.
"The Andheri Sports Complex and Mulund’s Kalidas Natya Mandir are the BMC’s biggest sporting and cultural hubs. BKLP which runs them is in a bad financial state but complete privatisation of the public spaces should be the last resort. The two centres face the threat of turning into private clubs for the elite, out of bounds for the common man. The BMC must work on the public-private partnership model instead of build operate and transfer.-TimesView"
In July, BKLP had sought a Rs 25 crore interest-free loan from the BMC as it has no money left to even pay its staff.
Officials said BKLP has called for an EoI to revamp the swimming pool area along with filtration plants, a pipeline and tiles along with beautification of the swimming pool area at both Andheri and Mulund on BOT basis. The EoI also asks agencies to build 10 squash courts with one being a glass court and complete revamping of existing squash courts at both. There will also be a complete revamp of badminton courts. The agency will appoint national and international coaches to train sports personnel. There will be free training and promotion of under-privileged players and students studying in educational institutions run by BMC, said an official.
“The agency will be given advertisement rights on their pool, badminton and squash, and other services provided. The agency will have to propose to share a percentage of their profit to BKLP. The selected agency will be given a work order initially for Andheri and Mulund sports complexes. The work order will be for a period of five years and it can be further continued for two successive periods of five years (a total of 15 years) as per the performance of the selected agency,” the official added. BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha said this would lead to privatisation.
“There will be no hike in fees. We have put a condition in the EoI that all existing members of the two centres will have to be retained and membership fees will stay the same. All sporting facilities will be upgraded. There is no money to run the centres and by roping in private players, the centres can be saved,” said Devendra Jain, former assistant municipal commissioner and administrator of the BKLP.
