An agreement between the government and the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) for a proposed theme park on the Mahalaxmi racecourse awaits approval from 75% of the club's 2,000+ members. An extraordinary general meeting in January will be decided, with CM Eknath Shinde and BMC chief I S Chahal explaining the plan. The racecourse spans 226 acres, with 70% under the state and 30% under BMC. The government assures racing activities' would be uninterrupted during the proposed development. Ongoing debates include the racecourse's transformation into a theme park, has drawn criticism from the opposition and walkers who deem it detrimental to the city's open space.
The prospective realization of the state government's vision for a theme park and a 'Mumbai Eye' at the Mahalaxmi racecourse appears imminent. Sources reveal that the state is set to extend the racecourse lease to the RWITC for 40 years, including 10 years that have already passed as the lease ended in 2013. This renewal comes with the provision for the construction of a contemporary clubhouse equipped with amenities. In exchange, RWITC, while maintaining customary racing activities, must cede a substantial portion of land for the creation of a garden and theme park.
The accord between the government and RWITC concerning racecourse land for the proposed theme park awaits the approval of 75% of the club's 2,000+ voting members. A general body meeting is anticipated in the third week of January to seek members' approval. CM Eknath Shinde has requested BMC chief (now administrator) Iqbal S Chahal to explain the plan to the members during the meeting.
The racecourse, spread over an expansive 226 acres, is divided, with 70% of the land under the jurisdiction of the state government and the remaining 30% under the purview of the BMC. The Mahalaxmi Race Course was set up on a land parcel given on lease by the BMC to the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) in 1914 for 99 years. It has been identified as a Grade II-B heritage site.
The exact extent of land that RWITC will be required to relinquish for the proposed garden and theme park remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations aimed at clarifying this critical aspect of the agreement. Sources assert that the government has agreed to ensure the continuity of racing activities throughout the proposed development. The city guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar expressed in October 2023 that both the racecourse and the envisaged park can coexist harmoniously.
Kesarkar had further elaborated that a section of the racecourse would be repurposed for the theme park, featuring a Ferris wheel modeled on the iconic London Eye. Despite the government's efforts to proceed with this plan, it has encountered criticism from various quarters. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has raised concerns that the racecourse land may be earmarked for the development of a hotel, commercial buildings, and other structures. He also expressed apprehension about the potential impact on the city's air quality and open spaces, calling attention to the broader implications of such urban development.
In addition to political opposition, the Walkers and Joggers Society, comprising fitness enthusiasts who frequent the racecourse, have criticized the proposed development as tragic, emphasizing the vital role of the open land in promoting health and fitness within the city. They contend that any form of development would deprive thousands of people who utilize this unique open space for recreational and health-improving activities.
In conclusion, while the state government pushes forward with its vision for redevelopment, the concerns from various groups underscore the complex dynamics involved in transforming such a significant urban space. The outcome of the upcoming general meeting will likely play a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of this ambitious project.
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