Clyde Crasto Slams Maharashtra Govt: “Build Hospitals and Schools, Not Just Stadiums”

Mumbai: As the Maharashtra government actively scouts for land to build a world-class, high-capacity cricket stadium in Mumbai or its outskirts, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto has strongly criticised the move, questioning the state’s priorities amid crumbling public infrastructure.

In a sharply worded tweet, Crasto said: “Instead of looking for locations to build a large-capacity cricket stadium, CM Fadnavis’s office must look to upgrade hospitals, schools and public beneficial services. Is the Govt trying to compete with Gujarat? Why did they not compete when projects were taken away to Gujarat?”

The criticism comes in the wake of CM Devendra Fadnavis’s recent support for the Mumbai Cricket Association’s proposal to build a modern stadium. The Chief Minister has directed officials to identify suitable land, citing the city’s legacy in cricket and the growing demand for international sports infrastructure — possibly also in the context of India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics.

However, Clyde Crasto hit back, stating that the government’s priorities appear misplaced. “Hospitals are in a poor state, schools lack basic facilities, and in rural areas, primary healthcare remains a dream. At such a time, pushing for a cricket stadium while neglecting people’s daily needs reflects a disconnect with reality,” he told TheNews21.

He further took a dig at the BJP-led state government, asking why it failed to show the same competitive spirit when major industrial and infrastructure projects were diverted from Maharashtra to Gujarat in recent years.

Social organisations and civic activists have also raised similar concerns, demanding that public funds and administrative focus be channeled toward healthcare, education, water supply, and rural development, before indulging in high-profile vanity projects.

While cricket continues to hold emotional and cultural importance in Maharashtra, critics argue that the state must first fix its broken systems before investing in mega infrastructure for sport.