The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) currently has no plans to move the Mahalaxmi racecourse to the Mulund dumping site, according to recent statements by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This clarifies a previous request by the government for the Royal Western India Turf Club Limited (RWITC), whose contract to manage the racetrack expired in 2013, to provide an assurance deed for the relocation of the racecourse.
The location would allow for the development of a garden and an amusement park.
As the state and BMC share ownership of the land, a policy decision regarding the racetrack land is expected to be made soon. The guarantee deed proforma has already been delivered by the civic body to RWITC, indicating a proactive approach to resolving any uncertainties about the future of the racetrack.
Additionally, the administration has shared that 89 of the 323 other plots whose leases had expired have already begun the process of being renewed. These plots are part of the civic body's Act schedule W, which includes the racetrack land. The state cabinet had previously decided to renew the schedule W properties in September 2016, and BMC had subsequently revised the Act.
However, there are some legal concerns that BMC is currently addressing. The corporation has submitted a legal notice to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, who is investigating suspected anomalies in the 12,000 crore contracts provided for building up infrastructure during the pandemic. Shinde has confirmed that BMC has sought the advocate general's advice on the matter.
BMC has been busy with other important projects. The corporation has recently won contracts for the concretization of 397 km of city roads, with an average construction cost of INR 15.31 crore per kilometre, according to the state government. In January, BMC also issued a labour order, indicating a commitment to improving the city's infrastructure.
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