Mumbai Architects Issue Urgent Appeal Against Racecourse Redevelopment
Mumbai: A coalition of 102 architects, designers, and planners, operating as the Mumbai Architects Collective, has made a public appeal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. They are strongly opposing the proposed redevelopment of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, cautioning that any underground construction could cause irreversible harm to one of Mumbai's few remaining large public open spaces.
Project Details and Concerns Raised
The collective stated on Thursday that the initiative, marketed as a park enhancement, is actually a significant infrastructure intervention. Architect Alan Abraham emphasized, "Underground parking structures and sporting facilities are capital-intensive projects. They are expensive to build and operate—requiring ventilation, lighting, security, and maintenance over decades—and inevitably lead to access controls. Once constructed, these structures alter the fundamental character of a public ground, often permanently."
The Mumbai Architects Collective warned that such infrastructure at the open space would have long-term environmental and urban planning consequences. On December 15 last year, just before the BMC election model code of conduct began, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alongside Gagrani and architect Hafeez Contractor, announced plans to fast-track a nearly 300-acre Central Park. This project would integrate open areas from the Mahalaxmi Racecourse and Coastal Road, featuring international-level sports facilities, traditional Indian sports, and a 5,000-vehicle parking facility.
Environmental and Functional Arguments
Abraham further argued, "The racecourse is already public land and has long been used by citizens for walking, exercise, and recreation. Improving access does not require excavation or the construction of underground parking, tunnels, or built facilities." He highlighted the environmental role of the racecourse as a contiguous natural surface in a low-lying, flood-prone coastal city.
The collective's letter also notes that such grounds are critical for:
- Rainwater absorption
- Groundwater recharge
- Flood mitigation
It asserts that any underground construction would permanently compromise these functions for infrastructure deemed unnecessary and environmentally imprudent.
Criticism of Proposed Structures
Architect Samir D'Monte commented, "The government's proposal for a massive car park and extensive underground sports facilities seems to fundamentally misunderstand how underground concrete structures work—the area above will no longer be a natural park; it will be a concrete slab without trees and any kind of natural ecosystem, possibly ending up covered with plastic grass."
The letter also raised concerns about proposed underground pedestrian tunnels, pointing out that under Transit Oriented Development (TOD) regulations, such corridors can unlock additional Floor Space Index (FSI) for nearby properties. This, they argued, reframes the proposal as part of a larger development and real estate framework rather than a simple park improvement.
Alternative Suggestions and Broader Implications
Architect Nitin Killawala noted that the racecourse is already a functioning and established open space. He said, "By proposing additions such as sports complexes and parking facilities, we will only add to dust, construction activity, and pollution. The scale of public spending involved may be enormous, and that money could instead be used far more effectively to revive and upgrade municipal gardens across the city."
The appeal underscores the collective's stance that preserving the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in its current state is vital for Mumbai's urban ecology and public welfare, urging authorities to reconsider the redevelopment plans to avoid long-term damage.
