Mahalaxmi Racecourse is saddling up to accommodate the Mumbai Metro — the SoBo emerald is all set to give up three acres of land for Metro-III
The derby at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse
Mahalaxmi Racecourse is saddling up to accommodate the Mumbai Metro — the SoBo emerald is all set to give up three acres of land for Metro-III.
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The racing season that begins on November 20 will be affected by the digging
“The proposed Colaba-Bandra underground Metro project will entail us giving about three acres of the club’s property (mainly part of the racetrack). It will be taken over for about four years till the work is complete,” said RWITC chairman Vivek Jain.
Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation
Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) chairman Vivek Jain and Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) Ashwini Bhide met at the latter’s Bandra office on September 29 for a talk on the same.
Royal Western India Turf Club chairman Vivek Jain
Digging is expected to start anytime, with alterations in the races of the Mumbai racing season, beginning November 20, likely.
For greater good
What this means is that the width of the track near E Moses Road (Mahalaxmi side) will be affected. Consequently, fewer horses will be able to run in races that start from 1,200 and 1,400 meters. Also, the mile-long races will have to be shifted to the backstretch.
“We do not expect any damage to the track. Though a part of our racing activity will be affected, we are jointly seeking alternatives so that the disturbance is minimised. I am sure a fair solution will be found,” said Jain, adding, “The club is looking at the bigger picture. In the overall context, it is not a huge issue but will certainly impact some of our races. Yet, the project is so good for the city and does not significantly disturb the conduct of racing. In fact, it is better than we first imagined, so we are actually relieved.”
Bhide said cooperation is key. “The Metro itself is not going underneath the racecourse, it is going to run below E Moses Road. The Science Museum Station near the racecourse is also below the road,” she added.
“The government has given us some land at the edge of the racecourse for the entry and exit of the station and a substation. We are amicably resolving issues.”
Jain also said he has spoken to the racing committee about his meeting with Bhide, “so that they understand what it means for the club. We are going forward in a spirit of mutual co-operation.”
On paper
An excerpt from a Government Resolution (GR) dated June 28 states that ‘the managing director of the Metro Rail Corporation Ltd had requested to make available a total of 11,072 sqm land from Lower Parel for Science Museum Station of Metro-III’.
“The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has been directed to take necessary action to hand over 2,484 sqm land… of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse… for completion of target, as a special case for entry and exit of electric substation and proposed Science Museum Station of Metro-III,” another excerpt stated.
“I suggested to the Metro authorities that the Science Museum Station should be renamed Turf Club Station, to which Bhide laughed and said, lightly, why not,” chuckled Jain.
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