Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has prepared a new policy to regulate commercial sports turfs operating on municipal leasehold plots and ensure revenue recovery from their use. The move comes after the civic body found that several cricket, football and other sports facilities were being run commercially on BMC land without proper permissions or No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Under the proposed policy, operators of sports turfs will have to pay an annual Turf Licence Fee. The fee will be calculated at 1 per cent of the applicable land rate multiplied by the area occupied by the turf. The land rate will be based on the Ready Reckoner value applicable in the year permission is granted and will also apply during subsequent renewals.

The BMC Estates Department has identified nearly 4,177 leased plots across the city, with some being used for sports-related activities. Officials said several private operators were earning revenue by renting turfs on an hourly basis or for tournaments, while the civic body was not receiving any share from such commercial activities.

The policy proposes that turf operations will be permitted only if they comply with the original lease conditions, the Development Plan and Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034. Permanent, covered or reinforced cement concrete structures will not be allowed under the framework.

To regularise existing unauthorised turfs, the BMC has proposed a one-year amnesty period. Eligible operators applying during this period will receive a 40 per cent concession on the licence fee. After the deadline, unauthorised facilities may face penalties of five times the applicable fee, along with possible sealing action.