The BMC’s transfer to seize a good portion of the Mahalaxmi Race Course for the event of a theme park for the general public has raised fears amongst metropolis residents and activists that the open area within the coronary heart of Mumbai in may fall into the fingers of builders. Jaydev Mody, member of the Royal Western India Turf Membership administration committee and in addition chairman of Delta Corp Ltd, defends BMC’s plan. Pratip Acharya that the minutes of their assembly with the BMC state that no building will happen on the land. He additional stated that it’s going to solely grow to be greener with extra planting, greenery, paths, biking and strolling paths.
At a gathering with the membership members, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal proposed to take over 120 hectares of Mahalaxmi Race Course and join it with the 175 hectare backyard being constructed on the land aspect of the coastal highway, thereby making a basic open area is created for 300 hectares. The racecourse is unfold over 210 hectares, of which the BMC plans to occupy 120 hectares. The remaining 91 hectares stay with us.
Will there be further building on the plot?
The BMC has stated it won’t even lay a stone there and the municipal commissioner stated he is able to give an affidavit or an enterprise. The plot will stay inexperienced and so they clarified that whereas everybody thinks the theme park can be an amusement park with curler coaster rides, on this case the BMC is planning a theme park just like the Central Park in New York the place there can be a water physique. and forestry. They do not need to construct something besides bogs. There isn’t any involvement of the builders’ foyer or something like that and that’s additionally acknowledged within the minutes of the MoU. We’ll be certain that once we signal the MoU, it adheres to the minutes.
There appear to be two opposing views: one from members who’re towards any change and the opposite from residents who suppose inexperienced cowl can be jeopardized. What are your views?
No, it is going to be a lot greener. There can be extra vegetation, greenery, paths, cycle paths, strolling paths and lawns. If our inexperienced protection right this moment, on a scale of ten, is three, it is going to be eight. It will likely be linked to all the 175 hectares, which can be seamless and rather more lovely. I do not suppose individuals understood it. They suppose the theme park means some Essel World sort factor is coming right here, which is completely incorrect. It is solely getting greener.
Will this have an effect on the horse stables and what concerning the heritage buildings?
The stables will stay with us alongside the race observe, the grandstand, and all our heritage buildings will stay as they’re. The BMC will give the remaining open area to the general public.
The BMC stated they are going to pay us to reconstruct the present stables, that are over 130 years previous, with state-of-the-art know-how. After the lease for the racecourse is prolonged, they may also give us FSI to construct a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis and squash court docket and all different clubhouse companies, which they by no means allowed us to do till now. So it is a win-win state of affairs for us in some ways.
Does the racecourse pay something to the BMC to resume the lease?
We pays the traditional lease lease, which they stated won’t be exorbitant. All this speak of taking tens of millions of rupees for lease extension won’t be there.
Have they already given concrete plans or solely obscure statements and designs?
No. However we should be certain that regardless of the last plan is, it’s in accordance with the signed minutes and solely on that foundation will the MoU be signed. What we have now acquired from the membership members is simply a decision that permits us to speak to the federal government and enter into an MoU throughout the traces and scope of the minutes.
After the BMC proposal, is there any dialogue on growing the membership charge from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh?
Nothing is deliberate for the time being, as a result of we do not know precisely what we’ll get. If we’re given full freedom to construct a great clubhouse with all amenities, then we’ll after all take a look at the contribution once more.