The residents and the members of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have threatened agitation over illegal encroachment at Borivade maidan in Ghodbunder, Thane. Allegations of encroachment by contractors on the largest ground in Thane, Borivade Maidan in the Ghodbunder area, have sparked outrage among local residents. Despite being reserved as per the Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) development plan, the ground has reportedly been overtaken by contractors, who have used it as a dumping site. This encroachment has led to growing frustration among local citizens, especially parents, who claim that their children are being deprived of a proper playground.

The Borivade maidan is one of the few open spaces in the rapidly developing Ghodbunder area, which is home to large-scale residential projects by developers such as Haware, Raunak, and Bhumi. With the area seeing significant population growth, the TMC had designated the ground as a reserved playground. However, the contractor’s use of the land for storing pipes and erecting sheds has turned the area into a neglected, unusable site. As a result, children no longer have access to a proper playing field, leading to anger among the residents.

Swapnil Mahindrakar, City President of MNS’s Public Interest and Legal Department, warned that the party would initiate an intense agitation if the encroachment is not removed promptly. "If the municipal corporation does not remove the encroachment at Borivade maidan at the earliest, there will be a strong agitation on behalf of the MNS, and the officials of the Thane Municipal Corporation will be fully responsible," Mahindrakar stated.