Mumbai Infra News: MMRDA Plans Major Sports & Recreation Hub At BKC To Boost Liveability

Mumbai: In a move aimed at improving the quality of life in one of Mumbai’s busiest business districts, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has announced plans to develop a large recreational and sports hub at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The project seeks to address a long-standing gap in leisure and open spaces in the commercial precinct, which houses major corporate offices, banks, consulates and financial institutions.

According to officials, the authority will lease out nearly 2.47 lakh square feet of land to a private operator for the development of sports infrastructure and allied amenities. A tender has already been floated to appoint a concessionaire who will be responsible for designing, building and operating the facility.

Multi-Sport Facilities Planned

The proposed recreational hub will include a multi-sport complex with facilities such as cricket and football turfs, pickleball and badminton courts, running tracks, fitness zones and seating areas. Adequate lighting systems are also planned to allow usage during early mornings and evenings, catering to office-goers and local residents alike.

At present, BKC has limited access to sporting infrastructure, with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) ground being the only prominent facility — and one that is restricted to members. The new hub is expected to significantly widen access to sports and fitness activities in the area.

Reviving a Neglected Pedestrian Plaza

The project will be developed in two parts. The first focuses on the pedestrian plaza in E Block, spread across approximately 2.42 lakh sq ft. Originally conceived as an urban plaza-cum-park, the space had gradually fallen into disuse after food outlets operating there shut down.

MMRDA officials said the plaza will be revitalised as a multipurpose public space designed primarily for people working in BKC. The redevelopment will retain its role as a transit and resting zone, offering shaded seating, landscaped areas and food kiosks.

Food, Culture and Community Spaces

As part of the project, the private operator will be allowed to run one full-scale restaurant and two snack bars within the premises. An existing amphitheatre in the plaza will also be refurbished, enabling the hosting of short performances, cultural programmes, plays and small concerts, especially during weekends.

Officials believe this blend of sports, food and cultural spaces will encourage greater public engagement and help create a more balanced urban environment in BKC, which is often criticised for being office-heavy and inactive beyond working hours.

Revenue Model and Public Access

The concessionaire will be permitted to generate revenue through food and beverage outlets, rental of sports facilities, and training programmes for children and young adults. Importantly, the facilities are expected to be open not only to corporate employees but also to the general public, making it a shared urban asset.

Enhancing Liveability In A Business District

Despite being one of India’s most expensive commercial districts, BKC continues to face challenges related to commuting, last-mile connectivity and lack of recreational infrastructure. Urban planners have long argued that integrating leisure and wellness facilities is essential for sustaining high-density business hubs.

With this initiative, the MMRDA aims to reposition BKC as more than just a workplace — transforming it into a space that supports physical activity, social interaction and cultural life.