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Mumbai's Green Gift: Eknath Shinde Unveils 295-Acre Central Park Plan

Ahead of the BMC elections, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has revealed ambitious plans for a massive new Central Park in Mumbai. The project will transform 295 acres of land, preserving the historic Mahalaxmi Racecourse while adding a huge underground sports facility. It's designed to be a green oasis with no surface construction, directly connected to the Coastal Road via a tunnel. The plan also includes an 18.4 km green corridor in Thane, aiming to boost the city's recreational infrastructure.

Key Points: Eknath Shinde Unveils Mumbai Central Park and Sports Complex Plan

  • The 295-acre park combines 125 acres from Mahalaxmi Racecourse with 170 acres from the Coastal Road
  • A 10 lakh sq ft underground sports complex will feature international and traditional Indian sports
  • A 1.2 km underground tunnel costing Rs 550 crore will connect the park to the Coastal Road
  • The Nehru Science Centre Metro Station will be linked via an underground passage for crowd management
3 min read

Maha: Eknath Shinde unveils plans for 295-acre Central Park

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde announces a 295-acre Central Park at Mahalaxmi Racecourse with a 10 lakh sq ft underground sports complex ahead of BMC polls.

"There will be no concrete construction on the surface of this park. - Eknath Shinde"

Mumbai, Dec 15

Ahead of the elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections slated for January 15, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday unveiled plans for 295 acres of Central Park, combining the open land of Mahalaxmi Racecourse and the Coastal Road and also the 10 lakh square feet of the Underground Sports complex.

Shinde said that this will be the largest gift ever given to Mumbaikars.

"There will be no concrete construction on the surface of this park. Central Park will be directly connected to the Coastal Road through an underground passage. No harm will be caused to the racecourse or its historic heritage," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister claimed that a world-class Central Park will be developed on 125 acres at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, along with 170 acres of land from the Coastal Road, creating a total of 295 acres of a grand Central Park.

"Additionally, a 10 lakh square feet world-class underground sports complex will be developed beneath the Central Park," he said.

He also pointed out that this complex will host international-level sports facilities along with traditional Indian sports such as Kho-Kho and Kabaddi.

"The sports complex will be environment-friendly," said Shinde.

He stated that visitors will be able to watch horse racing while walking inside the park, adding that, except for walking paths, there will be no construction on the surface, and the entire area will remain a green park.

"For smooth traffic management, the Central Park will be connected to the Coastal Road via a 1,200-meter-long underground tunnel, for which a Rs 550 crore tender has been issued. The entire project has been designed by architect Hafeez Contractor," he added.

Speaking about connectivity, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that Nehru Science Centre Metro Station (Metro Line 3) will be the nearest station.

"The station will be connected to Central Park via an underground passage, which will extend through Annie Besant Road, reach Haji Ali, connect to parking facilities, and further link to the Coastal Road," he said.

The official added that this underground connectivity will help manage crowds visiting the Central Park and sports complex.

"The Coastal Road parking facility will accommodate 1,200 cars and 100 buses," he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister also informed that, additionally, the Thane Municipal Corporation will develop an 18.4 km "Anandvan Green Corridor", connecting the Sanjay Gandhi National Park near the Mira-Bhayandar boundary.

He added that these projects will provide world-class facilities for talented athletes in Thane, improve citizens' quality of life, and accelerate Thane's overall development.

"Most projects have entered the tendering stage and will be developed on a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) basis," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Sounds amazing on paper, but why is this being announced just before BMC elections? Feels like a political stunt. We've seen so many grand projects announced and then forgotten. Show us the detailed plan and timeline, not just artist impressions.
A
Arjun K
The underground tunnel for Rs 550 crore? That's a massive amount. While the park is needed, the cost seems inflated. The money could also be used to improve existing parks and playgrounds in suburban areas which are in terrible condition.
S
Sarah B
As a long-time resident, preserving the heritage of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse is crucial. Glad they've mentioned no harm to it. The connectivity via Metro Line 3 is a smart move. Hope the 'green' promise is kept and it doesn't become another concrete jungle in disguise.
V
Vikram M
This is fantastic! A world-class park and sports complex will put Mumbai on the global map. The Anandvan Green Corridor for Thane is also great news. Development is needed, and this seems like a balanced approach. Kudos to the planners!
M
Meera T
My main concern is maintenance. We have beautiful spaces that turn dirty within months. Who will maintain this massive park? What about security, especially for families in the evening? The plan needs to address long-term upkeep, not just construction.

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