A world-class “Mumbai Central Public Park” is set to be developed across 300 acres of land, stretching over the Mumbai Coastal Road and the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) possesses 120 acres of this land for the park’s development. The project, which has received approval, will span about 300 acres, including 120 acres from the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and approximately 175 acres from the Mumbai Coastal Road. Out of the total 211-acre plot of the racecourse, 91 acres will be leased to M/s Royal Western India Turf Club Limited for 30 years. This lease agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The 211-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse had been leased to M/s. Royal Western India Turf Club Limited for over a century. Following the lease’s expiration a few years ago, the BMC has been diligently working to repossess the land for public benefit. This process has involved navigating various legal, statutory, and administrative hurdles. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and with the efforts of Additional Chief Secretary Dr Iqbal Singh Chahal, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Prashant Gaikwad, and the Estate Department, a consensus and amicable solution was reached. The municipal administration is now ready to realize Chief Minister Shinde’s vision of an international-standard public park.
The Government of Maharashtra recently decided to transfer 120 acres of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse land to the BMC after the lease expired. The remaining 91 acres will be leased to M/s. Royal Western India Turf Club Limited from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2053. The lease agreement was signed on July 2, 2024, at the Varsha Bungalow, the official residence of the Chief Minister. The signing was attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Additional Chief Secretary Dr Iqbal Singh Chahal, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Deputy Municipal Commissioners Sanjog Kabre and Prashant Gaikwad, Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vinayak Vispute, and other officials. Representatives from M/s. Royal Western India Turf Club Limited, including KN Dhunjibhoy, Dr Ram Shroff, Dilip Thakkar, and Secretary Niranjan Singh were also present.
With the allocation of 91 acres to M/s. Royal Western India Turf Club Limited, the BMC now controls the remaining 120 acres. The BMC administration will expedite the development of the international standard Mumbai Central Public Park that models after New York’s Central Park and London’s public parks. This park will encompass the 120-acre plot from the racecourse and 175 acres from the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, adjacent to the racecourse. The Urban Development Department of Maharashtra, through a government resolution dated June 26, 2024, has mandated that no commercial construction will be allowed on the reclaimed land from M/s. Royal Western India Turf Club Limited. The land is designated solely for public use, specifically for developing the international-standard park.
Repossessing the 120-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse plot marks a significant administrative milestone. The “Mumbai Central Public Park” project will elevate Mumbai’s international profile, increasing the city’s green space from 3,917 acres to 4,212 acres. This 300-acre green space will significantly contribute to environmental conservation efforts. The BMC administration is confident that the new park will benefit both Mumbai residents and tourists, providing much-needed green space and recreational opportunities.
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