MUMBAI: As
BMC
is set to take over a part of the
Mahalaxmi racecourse
,
Shiv Sena
(UBT) MLA
Aaditya Thackeray
on Wednesday opposed plans to develop a
theme park
at the open space. Aaditya said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ‘will restore the racecourse’s natural state when they form government soon, and legally punish those who colluded to give away the racecourse for their personal gains’.
Aaditya demanded that there be no theme park, no construction above or below ground and no damage to heritage structures. Aaditya also said that ‘there should be no addition to members or change in structure as bullied into by the illegal contractor mantri in the Willingdon Club’.
With almost all formalities complete and a proposal submitted from the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), the BMC will take over 120 acres of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse soon. The demarcation of the racecourse land has been completed and officials said that the demarcation of some minor parts like the parcel of land where the Metro 3 station will come up and the horse swimming pool is left which will be completed in a few days.
“The Mahalaxmi racecourse will be taken over by the BMC this week. It is disgraceful to see the BJP-Shinde regime try to take over open spaces for their favourite builder and contractors, like the racecourse and wellington club. While we will restore its natural state when we form government soon, and legally punish those who colluded to give away the racecourse for their personal gains, we demand: No theme park. No construction above or below ground. No damage to heritage structures. And for Willingdon Club: No addition to members or change in structure as bullied into by the illegal contractor mantri (CM),” Aaditya said in a post on X.
Former BJP Corporator, Makarand Narwekar wrote to Gagrani demanding that Amateur Riders Club (ARC) should be incorporated in the new lease agreement of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse land. Narwekar urged the BMC to look at ARC’s contribution before making the new lease agreement.
“I have been following up on the issue of ARC’s rehabilitation. Since 1942, the ARC has trained many generations of Mumbaikars in equestrian sports and polo. It is this club that has given Olympic, Asian games champions to the country. If BMC takes all this in account, an arrangement can be worked out to let ARC carry out its activities. Taking away ARC will lead to our sporting talent becoming directionless. Hence, the BMC should take this into account and incorporate ARC in the new lease which will ensure their existence,” Narwekar said.
