Mumbai Central Park proposal: Keep it green, keep it clean

The Eknath Shinde cabinet has given the green light to develop a New York-like central park at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse. The government stuck to its old line of the garden being open to all. The theme will be green, claims the government.

It is understood that assenting to the BMC/Govt proposal allowed the lease of the race course to be extended, on the condition that the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) hands over 120 acres of the 211-acre racecourse to the BMC.

The race course may look like New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park. Pic/Shadab Khan

Different park designs are being touted as the race course may look like New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park.

Also Read: We can construct a public garden: Poonawalla family at Royal Western India Turf Club Open House

While the government is still crying itself hoarse (or in this case, it should be horse) that the theme park = green park, doubts and question marks persist over the true intention. With the Cabinet giving the green light, experts, urban planners and architects weigh in, as worries increase about SoBo emerald's green sheen being dimmed forever.

Nitin Killawalla, architect and Rahul Kadri, urban planner

Nitin Killawala, a well-known architect, said, "I am not going into approvals or opposition and which political party says what. What is important is that there should be good professionals on board with the BMC/government for this park project. Some parks in the city have the stamp of the local corporator/MLA but at times, they tend to look unaesthetic. We want a very classy look to this project. Cross Maidan is a good example of real open spaces, redone but being left open in a way for enjoyment and recreation. There are hundreds of talented professionals in the city, who will be able to understand and work on the ethos. I understand that there is a plan for the Coastal Rd park to connect to this garden. Leave beautiful, old trees alone and work on the premise that what minimal needs to be done, may be done but let it retain its aestheticism."

Play way

Play ‘n' park is the Kadri credo. Rahul Kadri, Mumbai's architect and urban planner said, "What Mumbaikars need basically is for children to play in maidans. These maidans have to be accessible/flexible to allow for different types of activity, something like the Oval Maidan for instance." Kadri explained, "For most of the time, the race course space as it exists does offer this kind of accessibility, you want to find a way to make it more open, more accessible, that is fine. The minute you say theme park, the maintenance etc. goes up. I even read somewhere that there were statements like making a garden like Versailles (France). We do not need anything of this sort. Simplicity is key," he signed off.

Clear doubts

"When there is little to no transparency, doubts simmer," said Samarth Das, architect and urban designer. "I think working with authorities is the only way forward. They are ultimately responsible for giving the city free, open, democratic spaces," added Das. Like for most, the ‘theme park' is what concerns Das, because, "Once you say theme park, that comes with peripheral activity that goes with a theme park," he explained. "We need to have these spaces as free and open. Mumbai lost out on at least 600 acres of mill land, to convert them into free and open spaces. The BMC is the caretaker of the city. They cannot simply tell people to close their eyes and accept whatever is said. The collaboration, and public participation should be meaningful and robust and that the racecourse space must remain free and open forever," he added.

211acre
Total race course land

120acre
Total land handed over to BMC