In a significant move aimed at enhancing Mumbai’s green spaces, the state cabinet has granted approval for the creation of expansive parks on part of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and along the Coastal Road. This visionary project is set to transform 120 acres of the racecourse, leased to the Royal Western India Turf Club, into a park reminiscent of iconic spaces like New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park. Additionally, 200 acres of reclaimed land along the Coastal Road will be converted into a sprawling garden, marking these areas among the city’s largest open spaces.
The proposed parks will be seamlessly connected by an underground tunnel being constructed beneath the Coastal Road, creating an integrated green space for residents to enjoy. Notably, the development plan emphasizes that no construction will take place on the racecourse land, except for the establishment of a theme park, which will be undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The initiative to develop a land parcel at the racecourse has been a long-standing proposal, gaining momentum during the BJP-Shiv Sena rule and later championed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The land, jointly owned by the state government and the civic body, has undergone extensive discussions and negotiations, with the managing committee of RWITC agreeing to allocate a portion for park development on January 30, 2024.
Municipal Commissioner I S Chahal presented the plan to the state cabinet, resulting in its approval. The BMC is committed to investing ₹100 crore in refurbishing stables at the racecourse, complementing the overall enhancement of the green space.
Chahal expressed, “This is the biggest gift of CM Eknath Shinde to Mumbai,” underscoring the transformative impact of the project on the city’s landscape.
In response to the approval, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray engaged in a public discussion. Deora questioned Thackeray’s stance on the racecourse land, while Thackeray defended the government’s commitment to open spaces and hinted at further developments in the city’s green initiatives.
