Mahalaxmi Racecourse to transform into Mumbai’s Central Park; India’s tallest viewing tower planned in Thane

A presentation on the project was attended by Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and city's famous architect Hafeez Contractor, officials said.

Shinde described the park as “the biggest gift for Mumbaikars”, ensuring no concrete structures will be built, and the historical heritage of the racecourse will remain untouched.

Park features and sports complex

The 125-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse area will host the main Central Park, while the 170-acre Coastal Road area will complement it, making a total of 295 acres.

Underneath the park, a 10 lakh sq. ft. world-class sports complex will be developed, offering facilities for international sports as well as traditional Indian games like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, an official statement said.

Shinde said that visitors could even see horses in the park, and the park surface will remain free of any structures except pathways.

A 1,200-meter underground passage will connect the park to Mumbai Coastal Road, allowing smooth traffic flow. The project has a tender of Rs 550 crore, and the designs were prepared by Hafeez Contractor, the statement said.

Central Park features

- City Forest (12 acres): Reducing pollution and providing oxygen.

- Gardens and Open Concert Grounds (77 acres)

- Botanical Garden, Indoor Concert Arena, Convention Centre (31 acres)

- Multi-Sport Arena beneath Central Garden: Including aquatics, boxing, skating, gymnastics, basketball, and other facilities for youth and sports enthusiasts.

Connectivity and transportation

BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani on Monday stated that the park will be connected to Metro 3’s Nehru Science Centre station via an underground corridor, which will extend along Annie Besant Road to Haji Ali and connect to Coastal Road. Coastal Road parking will have the capacity for 1,200 cars and 100 buses, ensuring proper traffic management.

The Central Park will act as a 300-acre oxygen park, helping reduce pollution in Mumbai, said the officials.

Shinde also noted that road concreting across the city will complete by May, and sewage treatment projects by 6 December 2026, fulfilling the government’s promises.

Thane to get India’s tallest viewing tower and snow park

Thane will see a 50-acre area developed with India’s tallest viewing tower, standing at 260 meters (Eiffel Tower is 300 meters). Other attractions include convention Centre at Kasarvadavali, 25-acre town park at Kolset, Agri-Koli museum, aquarium and science centre and an international standard snow park along with a amusement park, and adventure park, the official statement said.

The park will also have a 12.5-acre bird museum, 25-acre musical concert centre and a 50-acre advanced sports complex, it said.

Thane Municipal Corporation will develop an 18.4 km green corridor, connecting with Sanjay Gandhi National Park along Mira-Bhayandar border, it said.

Shinde said these projects will enhance sports infrastructure, recreational facilities, and the quality of life for Thane residents. Most of these projects will be developed under BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model.

The officials said that the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, previously accessible only to the elite, will now be open to the public. The Central Park will serve as Mumbai’s major oxygen park.

They said that the complete layout of the park has been prepared by Hafeez Contractor and the tenders for the park are already underway.

"The racecourse’s heritage will remain preserved," said the officials, adding that three interconnected zones over 120 acres will be linked underground for smooth traffic flow.

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