Maharashtra Cabinet Greenlights Transformation of Mahalaxmi Race Course into Central Park

Mumbai, March 11, 2024: Despite facing considerable opposition from citizens and rival political factions, the Maharashtra state cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has decided to advance the ‘theme park’ initiative at the Mahalaxmi race course in Mumbai.

In a significant cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, several pivotal decisions were made. A notable move includes officially incorporating mothers’ names into government documents. Additionally, approval has been given for the establishment of an international-grade Central Park at the Mahalaxmi race course.

The Mahalakshmi race course, presently a popular destination for activities like yoga, running, and walking, is poised to undergo a transformation into Central Park, serving the recreational needs of Mumbai residents. The government has endorsed a guarantee of 24 crores for MMRDA projects associated with this endeavor.

Key resolutions from the cabinet meeting encompass:

1. Reduction of stamp duty for BDD chawl residents and slum dwellers (Housing Department).
2. Housing provisions for workers of 58 defunct mills (Housing Department).
3. Government guarantee of 24,000 crores for MMRDA projects (Urban Development).
4. Reception of 850 crores in assistance from KFW for the development of Mumbai’s basic amenities (Urban Development Department).
5. Establishment of a self-contained training center for the State Production Tax Department (State Production Tax).
6. Approval of 522 new posts under GST (Finance Department).
7. Appointment of a new director for the State Production Tax Department (Home Department).
8. Three advance salary increases for LL.M. degree-holding judicial officers (Labor Department).
9. State-level plan for new buildings for the offices of the Legal and Judicial Department (Legal and Judicial Department).
10. Institutional capacity-building project for the development of districts in the state (Planning Department).
11. Acquisition of land for Maharashtra Atithi Gruha (Public Works Department).
12. Inclusion of Dr. Homi Bhabha State University, Mumbai, as a constituent college (Higher and Technical Education Department).
13. Establishment of Mumbai Central Park on 300 acres of land (Urban Development Department).
14. Inclusion of mothers’ names in government documents (Women and Child Development Department).
15. Extension of the period for the Veer Savarkar Irrigation Scheme (Energy Department).
16. Approval to increase the classification of 61 subsidized ashram schools (Tribal Development Department).
17. Implementation of an employment and self-employment scheme for the upliftment of tribal lifestyles (Tribal Development Department).
18. Acceptance of the state’s transgender policy for the year 2024 (Social Justice Department).

BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has justified the project by addressing concerns about the race course’s condition and presenting a forward-looking vision for Mumbai’s recreational future with the Mumbai Central Park. Chahal underscored the dilapidated state of the racecourse, the absence of lease renewal over the past decade, and the associated safety hazards, emphasizing the need for a decisive resolution.