Mumbai, Dec 15 (NationPress) In anticipation of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for January 15, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister, Eknath Shinde, revealed an ambitious proposal for a 295-acre Central Park. This park will integrate the vast open space of Mahalaxmi Racecourse with the Coastal Road and include a remarkable 10 lakh square feet underground sports complex.

Shinde emphasized that this initiative represents the most substantial gift ever offered to the residents of Mumbai.

“The park will be free from any concrete structures on its surface. It will feature a direct connection to the Coastal Road via an underground passage. The historical significance of the racecourse will remain intact,” he asserted.

The Deputy Chief Minister detailed that a world-class Central Park would be built on 125 acres at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, complemented by 170 acres from the Coastal Road, culminating in a grand total of 295 acres.

“Moreover, we will establish a 10 lakh square feet state-of-the-art underground sports complex beneath the Central Park,” he stated.

This venue will feature international-level sports amenities alongside traditional Indian sports like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi.

“The sports complex will prioritize environmental sustainability,” Shinde added.

He mentioned that park visitors will have the unique opportunity to observe horse races while strolling through the park, indicating that besides the walking paths, the area will preserve its green space.

To ensure efficient traffic flow, a 1,200-meter-long underground tunnel will link the Central Park to the Coastal Road, with a tender allocated for Rs 550 crore. Esteemed architect Hafeez Contractor has designed the entire project,” he noted.

On connectivity, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani pointed out that the nearest station would be the Nehru Science Centre Metro Station (Metro Line 3).

“An underground passage will connect the station to Central Park, traversing through Annie Besant Road, reaching Haji Ali, and linking to parking facilities and the Coastal Road,” he explained.

This underground connection is aimed at managing the crowds visiting both the Central Park and the sports complex.

“The Coastal Road parking facility will accommodate 1,200 cars and 100 buses,” he revealed.

Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister announced that the Thane Municipal Corporation will construct an 18.4 km “Anandvan Green Corridor,” linking to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park near the Mira-Bhayandar boundary.

These projects are expected to provide world-class resources for aspiring athletes in Thane, enhance the quality of life for citizens, and boost the overall development of Thane.

“Most of these initiatives are currently in the tendering phase and will be realized on a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) basis,” he concluded.