4 min readFeb 24, 2026 02:55 PM IST
First published on: Feb 24, 2026 at 02:55 PM IST
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed an ambitious plan of constructing an array of underpasses underneath the Mahalaxmi Racecourse to interlink the upcoming open spaces in the coastal road and the Racecourse ground which is also set to be transformed into a Central Park. Furthermore, civic officials maintained that the underpasses will also be connected to the metro stations of Mumbai’s aqua line – which will provide direct connectivity for the pedestrians.
Of the 211 acres of the Racecourse, 120 acres have been taken over by the BMC. This space is being developed into a Central Park for citizens which will comprise a botanical garden, topiary garden and a city forest. Underneath the racecourse, the BMC intends to construct an indoor sports arena and a convention hall. Meanwhile, within a kilometer there is the Haji Ali interchange of the coastal road, where the BMC is set to create a plush green open space comprising a nature trail and a series of micro forests adding another 70 hectares of open space to the city. Civic officials said that the idea is to link these open spaces for citizens through a series of underpasses.
Furthermore, Bhushan Gagrani – Mumbai’s municipal commissioner has maintained that the civic body has already roped in Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) for carrying out a feasibility study for constructing the underpasses.
“There are two underground metro stations near the race course – Nehru Science Centre and the Acharya Atre Chowk. We will be constructing an underpass that will link these two stations with Mahalaxmi Racecourse’s basement, where we intend to construct a public sporting arena and a convention centre. From this place, citizens can climb up the staircases and reach the Mahalaxmi ground above,” Gagrani said.
The municipal commissioner was speaking at a citizen’s dialogue organised by the South Mumbai Resident’s Association (SMRA). At the dialogue was also present, Shiv Sena MP, Milind Deora.
“Furthermore there will be another underpass that will link the Mahalaxmi Racecourse with the upcoming garden and open space at Coastal Road’s Haji Ali intersection. A parking lot to accommodate 1,200 cars is also being constructed over there. We have roped in MMRCL to prepare the design for this project, since this agency has good experience of constructing an underground transport network for Mumbai,” he added.
The underpasses will form a semi-circular walkway around the periphery of the racecourse and civic officials maintained that currently a survey is being carried out to locate the underground utilities like water supply pipeline, gas supply line that passes from underneath the race course grounds. Civic officials also maintained that the underground facilities which the BMC proposes to construct will only cover 30 per cent of the total land size while the larger portion of the plot is set to have natural percolation.
The civic officials maintained that after the feasibility study is being completed the construction work will be initiated.
“The present design is only a temporary blueprint of what we propose. Once the study is completed the design will be compared and then only decisions to construct the facility will be taken and it will take a minimum of two years to complete the project from the day of construction,” he added.
GRAPHIC
MAHALAXMI RACECOURSE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
Total area: 212.73 acres
Land retained by Royal Western Indian Turf Club
92.61 acres
Racing tracks and Royal Grandstand
Land to be developed by BMC
Public Park 77.6 acres
Topiary garden
Amphitheatre
Event space
Seasonal garden
Monsoon garden
Botanical Garden 31.36 acres
Rainforest zone
Flowering tree section
Palm garden
City Forest 11.76 acres
Orchard
Miyawaki forest
Spice garden
UNDERPASS NETWORK
Within the racecourse 3 underpasses
Botanical Garden to Topiary Garden
Topiary Garden to City Forest
Internal connectivity corridor
Around the racecourse 2 underpasses
Semi circular underpass
Linking Acharya Atre Chowk Metro station and Nehru Centre Metro station to the Racecourse
Direct underpass
Connecting Racecourse ground to Haji Ali Coastal Road open space
The municipal commissioner was speaking at a citizen's dialogue organised by the South Mumbai Resident's Association (SMRA). At the dialogue was also present, Shiv Sena MP, Milind Deora. 
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