Maharashtra Govt to undertake inspection of gymkhanas in Mumbai

Maharashtra Government will soon undertake an inspection of all gymkhanas located on government land in Mumbai to ensure that all norms, including those in the lease agreement, are followed, an official said on Monday.

There are around 10 such gymkhanas on government land in Mumbai, and the state government gets around Rs two crore from them annually towards rent charges, the official told PTI.

The move comes in the backdrop of the Central Government asking Delhi Gymkhana to hand over its premises by June 5 to ''strengthen and secure defence infrastructure'' and for other public security purposes.

The most prominent among the gymkhanas in Mumbai is the Bombay Gymkhana in South Mumbai. Established in 1875, it is among the elite gymkhanas in the city.

The 99-year lease on the land given to the club expired in 2006, and the lease on the club's grounds expired in 2007.

Asked if all the gymkhanas adhere to the lease agreement norms, the official said, ''We issue notices to the defaulters and also hold hearings in some cases.''.

Prominent gymkhanas in Mumbai include PJ Hindu Gymkhana, Catholic Gymkhana, Parsee Gymkhana, Wodehouse Gymkhana, PVM Gymkhana and Islam Gymkhana.

''The state government's 2003 rent fee policy for gymkhanas was challenged in court. It was revised a decade later and the last revision was in 2025,'' the official said.

In case of Bombay Gymkhana, there is also its standoff with the municipal corporation over acquisition of land. The gymkhana has opposed the BMC's decision to acquire 3,000 square metre land for road widening.

The BMC wanted the land to widen Hazarimal Somani Marg, abutting the club and connecting Fashion Street to CSMT. It would also entail taking over a part of the gymkhana CEO's bungalow.

Meanwhile, responding to the Centre's notice, Yusuf Abrahani, the President of Islam Gymkhana in South Mumbai, on Monday expressed confidence that Delhi Gymkhana will get relief from the court.

''If they are taking the land for public purpose, Delhi is big. You can adjust your public purpose elsewhere,'' he said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)