Mumbai is set to welcome its own Central Park as the BMC moves forward with plans to acquire 120 acres of land from the race course.

The BMC had proposed to take over a part of the race course land to be turned into a “theme park” as a precondition to renew the lease agreement of the Mahalaxmi Race Course land, which was in possession of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC). The lease of the race course land expired in 2013.

The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to utilize 120 acres of the 211-acre Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai for the development of a Central Park. This decision comes as part of efforts to renew the lease agreement for the land, which expired in 2013. Under the new terms, the BMC will take over 120 acres for the park while granting the remaining 91 acres to the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) for the continuation of the race course. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced plans to merge this park with existing green spaces along the coastal road, forming a sprawling 320-acre Central Park for the city. The proposal received majority approval from RWITC members, with 540 out of 708 expressing support for the BMC's plan. The 120-acre section allocated for the park will include jogging tracks, stables, parking areas, and portions of the lawn, while essential race course facilities will remain within the 91-acre portion.