The plot, no 8 under Town Planning Scheme No. 12, has been earmarked for a sports complex. On Wednesday, a delegation led by former BJP councillor Pradip Joshi met VMC commissioner M K Das, and mayor Sunil Solanki regarding this, but failed to get any concrete answers from the civic authorities.

Submitting a memorandum to Das and Solanki, residents under the banner of Bal Gopal Garba Ground Bachao Samiti said the plot – reserved for the construction of sports complex cum cultural activity centre – is now being put under the hammer for a short-term commercial gain, which won't serve any purpose to the public.

Joshi said, "A former minister had laid the foundation stone in 2005 in the presence of a top Olympic Association official. It is a sheer case of foolishness on the part of the VMC to put this plot for auction just to earn money." He said it is difficult to fathom how the VMC could forget the original plans.

"As the 8,589 sq metre plot proposed for auction is placed on the 9 metres wide TP road, no commercial complex or big hospitals can be permitted on such plot and anything going in favour of it will only result in violation of rules and an illegal construction activity," he added. He further said the plot was reserved to be used for sports activity, to be built later either as a swimming pool, skating ring or a gymnasium as per the corporation's resolutions in the General Board meetings, but now they felt cheated by the ruling party.