Mumbai : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced the development of a 300-acre ‘Mumbai Central Park’ that will include the iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse and sections of the Mumbai Coastal Road.
The ambitious project, envisioned as Mumbai’s answer to New York’s Central Park, aims to provide a vast, sustainable green space with botanical gardens, children’s play areas, walking and jogging tracks, landscaped water bodies, and cultural hubs for art, yoga, and meditation. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been finalised, paving the way for construction to begin soon.
The announcement was made during a large-scale cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachhotsav’ initiative, part of the nationwide ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2025’ campaign. The drive, led by Shinde, covered the stretch from Metro Cinema to Fashion Street.
As part of the project, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already acquired 120 acres of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse from the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), while 91 acres remain leased back to the club until 2053. The BMC has also approved RWITC’s proposal to build a clubhouse and banquet hall on 32 leased acres, pending CRZ and heritage clearances.
Highlighting Maharashtra’s commitment to the Swachh Bharat Mission, Shinde said the state has identified nearly 20,000 dumping sites for cleanup and lined up over 6,300 public events including health camps, rallies, and environmental initiatives.
“This Central Park will redefine Mumbai’s landscape and offer citizens a world-class recreational space while preserving the heritage of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse,” Shinde said.
