The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) has proposed revoking the no-objection certificate (NOC) granted to a residents’ association to reclaim maintenance control over the Bandra Bandstand promenade. The move follows allegations of Bandra Bandstand Residents Trust (BBRT)’s unauthorised corporate partnership and its persistent failure to produce financial statements despite repeated official demands.
Dispute Emerges Over BBRT-USV Name Display At Central Garden Entrance
The dispute over one of Mumbai’s most iconic seafronts has been brewing since May following the overhead board on the entrance of Central Garden on the promenade – which is governed by the MMB – displaying the names of BBRT and pharmaceutical company USV Pvt Ltd as the caretakers. In June, the maritime authority removed the board and replaced it with another displaying its own name. This led to an enquiry over the financial transactions between the pharma company and the residents’ association – which has been maintaining the garden since 2002.
Regional Port Officer Recommends Cancelling BBRT’s Long-Standing NOC
In an internal communication recently addressed to MMB’s chief executive officer, Bandra Port’s regional port officer Capt. CJ Lepande recommended that the state maritime authority cancel BBRT's long-standing NOC and directly reoccupy and maintain the 1.1km promenade. However, sources highlighted that the CEO is yet to issue any order in this case.
Through the letter, Lepande had also added that MMB has looked after the upkeep of the Bandstand promenade at an expenditure Rs 10.06 crore in major structural and beautification works between 2019 and 2022. The work included gardening and lighting, strengthening of the pavement, compound wall, and allied facilities, creation of a public garden green belt, fixing light installations, and promenade protection through the relocation of tetrapods.
In his recommendation, the regional officer noted that BBRT engaged USV Pvt. Ltd. to manage the garden areas at Bandstand without obtaining the mandatory prior permission from the maritime board. While MMB had previously sanctioned structured tie-ups, it claimed that the recent third-party arrangement with the pharma company was executed unilaterally.
The recommendation also follows widespread public discontent over high-handed restrictions enforced along the promenade. According to MMB, BBRT had painted wall signage displaying blanket bans such as "No pets allowed, No pet owners allowed, No eating and No cycling" without state clearance. Following citizen complaints, MMB disowned the arbitrary rules and removed the illegal signboards, restoring full public access to the precinct, which was reported by The Free Press Journal on July 25.
The MMB has also initiated an enquiry to ascertain whether there have been any financial transactions between any organisations and BBRT, which was allowed to conserve, restore and maintain a garden on the promenade. On July 3, MMB’s Bandra Port inspector had directed the trust to submit its annual accounts and audit reports for the last five years.
Authority Questions BBRT’s Partnership With USV Without Prior Approval
According to MMB, the trust has failed to submit the reports despite three letters from the port inspector, dated July 3, July 21, and August 7. The trust’s failure to share the reports forced the regional port officer to issue a direct administrative notice to the BBRT chairman on 10 August 2026, sternly reiterating the demand for five years of financial statements.
Replying to The Free Press Journal’s queries, BBRT claimed that it has always maintained proper accounts and had them audited in accordance with applicable requirements. The trust’s secretary Rusi Jabulee said, “BBRT is a registered trust and has nothing to hide and is committed to transparency and cooperation with all competent authorities. BBRT has already responded in writing to the MMB CEO and to the port officer sometime back.” However, he did not clarify whether the financial statements had also been shared.
The secretary also added that USV Pvt. Ltd. has “voluntarily maintained the Central Garden since its inception over two decades ago” and has never made any direct contribution, donation, sponsorship or other monetary payment to BBRT. “USV has voluntarily and independently borne the costs of maintaining the garden since its creation. BBRT has previously provided detailed clarifications regarding its role in maintaining the promenade and has consistently cooperated with MMB, BMC, Police and other concerned authorities,” Jabulee said.
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