Heritage panel to visit Cooperage over stadium plan

MUMBAI: A sub-committee appointed by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) is likely to visit the Cooperage football ground on Friday to assess the members' objections over a stadium proposed to be constructed on the site.
The Western India Football Association (WIFA) plans to build a stadium on the heritage maidan, and had written to the MHCC requesting urgent clearance in view of an upcoming schedule of international football matches.
Recently, three members of the MHCC despatched a dissent note to chairman V Ranganathan alleging that they had not approved the stadium proposal as was claimed in the minutes of the meeting. The chairman had reportedly left the meeting before the plan was tabled and the dissenters claim their doubts were not addressed.
"It is true I left midway but the minutes were circulated to all members. They did not raise objections or ask for modification then. The proposal was discussed and confirmed in the following meeting. Yet, given that this is a matter of public interest, the sub-committee is free to visit the site and satisfy itself over WIFA's commitments. All concerns that arise will be addressed," the chairman said. Sources claim that a site visit will not prove insightful given that no construction activity is under way at Cooperage. But Ranganathan suggested that they can peruse documents related to free access, rainwater harvesting, structural stability and other assurances given by the association.
Over the past few years, residents of the area have been raising objections over the demolition of heritage structures within the maidan and the WIFA's move to replace the grass with artificial turf.
Souter Vaz, honorary secretary of WIFA, could not be reached for comment.