Thane Municipal Corporation Demolishes 10 Illegal Turf Clubs in Yeoor Following HC Orders
Thane, 27th September 2025: Acting on directives from the Bombay High Court, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has demolished 10 unauthorized turf clubs in Yeoor, a designated ecologically sensitive zone, and lodged cases against 10 individuals, including Rohit Boricha and Siddharth Shah, under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act. Police confirmed that the complaints were filed based on reports by a TMC official.
Yeoor has long been facing challenges from illegal constructions, ranging from bungalows and farmhouses to roadside eateries. In recent years, artificial turf clubs for cricket and football have also proliferated, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Environmentalists have raised concerns that these turfs—with floodlights, loudspeakers, and late-night events—have disrupted the fragile ecosystem of the area.
Rohit Joshi, president of the Yeoor Environmental Society, said, “For years, we have witnessed unauthorized developments damaging Yeoor’s environment. The turf clubs, in particular, have had a significant negative impact with their constant noise and light pollution.”
The Yeoor Environmental Society had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court in 2023. Following legal pressure, TMC finally acted by removing the turf surfaces, disconnecting electricity and water connections, and initiating criminal cases against the 10 operators.
Joshi added, “This legal victory is a relief, but the long delay in enforcement highlights systemic negligence in protecting ecologically sensitive zones.”
