The Maharashtra Cabinet on Monday approved a proposal by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take over 120 acres of land of the 211-acre Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai to develop a Central Park. The BMC had proposed to take over a part of the race course land to be turned into a “theme park” as a precondition to renew the lease agreement of the Mahalaxmi Race Course land, which was in possession of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC). The lease of the race course land expired in 2013. As per the new terms laid down by the civic body, it would give the remaining 91 acres of land to the RWITC for running the race course on lease for 30 years — till 2053 — if 120 acres of land is handed over to the BMC. Recently, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced plans to develop a Mumbai Central Park on 320 acres of land, by combining the green spaces along the coastal road and the Mahalaxmi Race Course. “A 320-acre central park of international standards will come up in Mumbai. Around 120 acres of land of the Mahalaxmi Race Course will be the part of the park,” Shinde said then, adding it would be a gift for Mumbaikars. “We want to make a big international central park within the race course. We have demanded 120 acres of land from them (RWITC). Along with that, there will be 200 acres of reclaimed land of the coastal road in Worli. Thus, a big central park spread over 320 acres will be built in Mumbai,” Shinde said, ensuring that the race course will continue to be operational. At a meeting on January 29 and 30, a majority of RWITC members had given their approval to the BMC proposal. A total of 708 members participated in voting on the BMC’s plan, when 540 expressed support for the proposal. An official said that while the race tracks, helipad, grandstand and certain horse stables will fall under the 91-acre portion, which will stay with the race course, the remaining 120-acre parcel will accommodate jogging tracks, additional stables, the parking area and a portion of the lawn.
