Wankhede Stadium to Be Handed Over to Maharashtra Government? MCA Asked to Pay 120 Crore Fine or Lose the Authority
The State Government has given an ultimatum to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) over the lease agreement, where they have the option to either pay 120 crores or hand over the Stadium to state authority.
One of the most renowned Stadium in India Wankhede located at commercial capital Mumbai might come under the authority of Maharashtra Government. The State Government has given an ultimatum to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) over the lease agreement, where they have the option to either pay 120 crores fine or lose the authority. IPL 2019: No Security Threat to Wankhede Stadium, Says Mumbai Police After 'Fake News' of Attack.
MCA is under the radar for many issues related to possession of Wankhede Stadium, which includes lease renewal, unpaid dues, and alleged illegal alterations. Mumbai City Collector Shivaji Jondhale has issued a notice to MCA for payment of 120 crores for unpaid dues and lease renewal, failing which the State Government will take the stadium under their authority.
Wankhede Stadium was built in 1975 by SK Wankhede who was a politician. The stadium was leased to MCA by the state government for 50 years which ended in February last year. The State Government also stated in the notice to MCA that the rent amount charged to MCA had changed after they constructed the building on the plot which is now the headquarter for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Also, the notice issued by collector has asked MCA to give every detail of the construction made on the plot and also furnish permission for every single alteration.
Also legal and parking issues have been raised by an activist for Wankhede Stadium, as the place does not have access for fire tenders in reality, whereas the association has shown it in their report. Also, the Stadium does not have enough parking facilities available which lead to chaos during matches. Resident Deputy-Collector, Sampat Davkhar said Mumbai Mirror that site inspection of Wankhede will soon be conducted and the MCA office bearers have been summoned on May 3 to discuss lease renewal.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 22, 2019 05:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).