MUMBAI // Its grandstand is a colonial legacy, redolent with tradition and history. It is also a leafy sanctuary, a refuge from Mumbai's exhaust-choked streets.
But if developers have their way, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse will soon become just another addition to Mumbai's concrete sprawl.
Modelled on the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Mahalaxmi is spread across 225 acres of land in a prime seafront location in south Mumbai. But with the horse racing club's 99-year lease set to expire today, debate is raging over the future use of the land.
With property prices soaring and a scarcity of land for building in the city, developers are keen to get their hands on such a large tract.
The operator of the racecourse is keen to renew the lease, but there are also proposals for a theme park, while others argue that the land needs to be thrown open as a rare green space for the overcrowded city's residents.
"There is a perception of it being a rich man's club," said Rishi Aggarwal, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in Mumbai, which held a meeting on Saturday to discuss possible uses of the land. "But that's a myth. The racecourse ground is open to the public even as of now.
"A lot of people had the perception that it's not open and that when the lease expires, the whole thing should come to the public and we should make some kind of Central Park or Hyde Park."
The racecourse was built in 1883 on land donated to the city by the industrialist, Sir Cusrow Wadia. The land is leased by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Its grandstand is considered a heritage structure.
In the evenings and at weekends, the racecourse grounds are abuzz with activity, serving as a public park of sorts. When races are not taking place during the racing season, from November to April, entry to the racecourse is free. It has a much-used jogging track and is a popular spot for dog walkers and for children playing cricket.
"The other viewpoint was that the racecourse in a sense has a heritage value and horse racing is only taking place on 43 days in a year and the rest of the time it is available for public use," said Mr Aggarwal.
The political party, Shiv Sena, has demanded that the racing club's lease not be renewed and that the land be turned into a theme park or memorial park in tribute to the party's late founder, Bal Thackeray, according to local reports.
As India's financial capital, Mumbai draws jobseekers from all over the country, and its population of more than 20 million is constantly increasing. Property prices have skyrocketed in recent years and land for development is scarce, particularly in the south, which is considered the heart of the city.
"With the land prices what they are, especially in that part of the city, a lot of developers may want to take possession of it," said Sudhir Badami, a Mumbai social activist.
"But essentially, the city, which has got such a high population density, does not have enough open public spaces.
"The racecourse is open and it's beautiful. When you go there, you don't feel that you're in Mumbai."
Gaurav Rampal, an equine industry consultant in Mumbai, said the racecourse was an important institution in the city, as well as "the only breathing space the city has got".
"It's the best racing centre in the country," he added.
"The most prestigious races are held at Mahalaxmi."
He said property developers would find it challenging to build on the low-lying land, which tended to flood during the monsoons.
Those who use the space as a recreation space were keen to see the lease renewed.
"We want the racecourse as it is," said Raza Khan, 36, a businessman who jogs there every day. "It's already open to the public most of the time. We don't want a theme park."
Many were also sceptical about whether the area would be managed well should it become the responsibility of the municipality or the state government.
Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, the chairman of RWITC, was abroad on safari and unavailable for comment.
He has previously said that the racecourse was a "green lung" and urged the lease to be renewed.
The ORF believes that there could be even more public use of the land, however.
"What we are saying is let architects, let urban planners present all the different options that the racecourse can be put to," said Mr Aggarwal.
"Maybe keeping the interests of the existing club, how can it be made multipurpose use rather than just the club and horse racing and a little bit of walking in the evening."
He added that the city should also get its fair share of revenue from the land.
"A lot of public leases of land are made at very throwaway rates." he said. "This is ultimately 225 acres of public land and we need to have appropriate fees."
However, the racing club was unlikely to be turfed out, he added.
"The RWITC will continue to occupy the club," he said.
"There have been instances in the city where leases for public land have expired and even after one year, two years, three years, the people have continued to occupy the land until the time the leases are renewed."
"The club is quite influential. I don't think they're going to tell them to pack up their bags [today] and leave."
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
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