Pune : Citizens Demand Say in Fate of Mahalaxmi Racecourse: Call for Referendum on Proposed Central Park

Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has urged the Municipal Commissioner, Iqbal Singh Chahal, to involve the citizens in deciding the future of Mahalaxmi Racecourse. 

The proposed plan envisions a 320-acre central park of international standards. Narwekar emphasized that the approval from the 500-odd members of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) is insufficient, asserting that the land belongs to the people of Mumbai, making their opinions and votes crucial in this matter.

In a letter addressed to Commissioner Chahal, Narwekar called for the establishment of a high-power committee (HPC) to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders due to the significance of the racecourse land for the city. He insisted that, before any actions are taken, the BMC should conduct a referendum, allowing citizens to voice their opinions on the proposed redevelopment.

Narwekar expressed concern, stating, “If the BMC commissioner believes that the central park is what the city needs, then a referendum must be conducted before proceeding with this ambitious plan. Citizens’ voices in the BMC should not be excluded simply because there is no elected body. Going ahead without a referendum would be a betrayal of the citizens.”

Having consistently opposed the development plans for the central park, which involves taking over ”120 acres of RWITC land and merging it with a 175-acre coastal road garden”, Narwekar criticized the lack of public consultations and transparency on the issue. He warned that if the BMC does not heed the call for a referendum, the matter will be escalated to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, emphasizing the determination to safeguard this vital piece of land from redevelopment under the guise of creating a central park.