‘No plans for memorial at Racecourse’
Mayor Sunil Prabhu has said that the Shiv Sena do not have any plans to set up a Bal Thackeray memorial at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) should take over the racecourse to convert it into a park that meets international standards, he said.
Mr Prabhu has written a letter to BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte proposing that the racecourse premises be developed into a public garden-cum-theme park. He also asked the civic chief not to renew the lease of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), which runs the 225-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
In 1914, the BMC had leased out the green space to the RWITC for 99 years. The lease period expires on May 31, 2013.
Speaking to reporters, the mayor said, “We have not tabled any proposal to set up a memorial of Balasaheb Thackeray at the racecourse. The initial proposal was only for an international standard park. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray has already made his stand clear on this issue.”
Mr Uddhav Thackeray has said though Shiv Sena has not proposed a memorial for Balasaheb, the party would welcome any proposal to name the park at the racecourse after him.
Mr Prabhu said, “It will not be right to hand over the racecourse to the RWITC again, as it has violated the lease agreement several times before. The civic estate department has prepared a report to this effect and it will be sent to the state government soon.”
According to civic officials, the BMC is preparing a report to be submitted to the state government, in which the violations made by the RWITC in the current lease will be mentioned in detail. The civic body will also ask the state to suggest steps on how to keep the green space at racecourse open to the public.
Post new comment