Mumbai: More than 140 years since its inception, Mumbai’s iconic Mahalaxmi Racecourse is poised for a dramatic transformation, one that will unfold beneath the surface. The sprawling 211-acre expanse, known for its rich equestrian legacy, is now at the centre of an ambitious plan by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to build a world-class, underground sports and parking complex, without disrupting the historic racetrack above.

A Sporting Vision Beneath the Turf

Designed in collaboration with renowned architect Hafeez Contractor, the proposal envisions an Olympic-grade sports facility featuring a 400-metre track, an Olympic-size swimming pool and multi-sport arenas, all located below ground level. One level further down, a parking facility accommodating over 5,000 cars is being planned to cater to large-scale public events.

While the racecourse itself will remain intact and continue to be operated by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) on 91 acres leased from the BMC, the civic body will redevelop the remaining 120 acres under a renewed lease agreement signed in January 2024.

Municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani told that while the heritage of the racecourse will be preserved, the surrounding area will undergo significant development. The BMC is currently examining the feasibility of utilising the basement levels for entertainment, sports and parking, despite the presence of underground sewage and stormwater lines.

On the surface, roughly half of the available 120 acres will be dedicated to a topiary garden. The rest of the land is set to house an urban forest, an open concert ground, and potentially an indoor auditorium or arena for year-round events. The existing equestrian track will remain untouched.

Gardens Above, Games Below

Architect Hafeez Contractor explained that the design ensures harmony between the above-ground aesthetics and the underground utility. While the garden and open spaces above will remain undisturbed, the basement offers an untapped opportunity to build a cutting-edge training facility for young athletes from Mumbai and across India.

The first level of the basement, spread across 20 acres, will feature facilities on par with international Olympic standards, including courts for squash and tennis, a skating rink, shooting range, cricket nets, handball, volleyball and basketball courts, a gymnastics zone, martial arts area and convention centre.

Let There Be Light—Underground

Despite being underground, the complex is designed for maximum natural light and ventilation. Contractor described a central skylight and a moat-like opening that will ensure airiness and openness within the space, eliminating the feeling of confinement.

Mapping the Maze Below

The design process has also accounted for the dense web of utilities running below the racecourse. Contractor said that water lines, drainage systems and gas pipelines have all been mapped and the layout has been adjusted to ensure minimal interference.

Parking for the Masses

The second basement level will be entirely dedicated to parking, a crucial addition given the scale of public events planned for the area. The facility is expected to hold over 5,000 cars, with a direct access route proposed from the Western Freeway to streamline traffic during large gatherings or concerts.

A Zonal Approach to the 120 Acres

The 120-acre plot above the underground structure has been carefully divided into zones: 63.9 acres for a themed topiary garden and educational herb zones, 13.6 acres for a concert ground, and 11.6 acres preserved as an urban forest, retaining mature trees already on the site. A further 31.36 acres have been earmarked, still under consideration, for an indoor arena or auditorium capable of hosting events throughout the year, including during Mumbai’s monsoon months.

A Personal Dream Realised

For Contractor, this project is deeply personal. “I was born and raised in Mumbai. I know the lack of sports infrastructure we faced growing up. When I turned 18, it was hard to find even a swimming pool. To now contribute to a space that gives future generations access to world-class training is truly a dream come true for a city like Mumbai,” he said.

A Long Trail of Abandoned Proposals

Over the past two decades, several plans to redevelop the racecourse have been floated and discarded. In 2004–05, RWITC attempted a commercial partnership with Pegasus Infrastructure, which was shelved following public and political opposition. In 2007, a proposal to convert the land into a flood-relief parking zone was also dropped. Later, in 2009, ideas including an aquarium and a flyover were discussed but never executed. In 2013, with the racecourse lease nearing expiry, the BMC proposed converting the space into a public park.

Years of deliberations yielded little consensus, until 2024, when the current plan took shape with clarity and intent.

With a vision rooted in preservation and progress, the Mahalaxmi Racecourse is now set to become not just a symbol of heritage, but also a beacon for India’s sporting future.

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): In a tragic road accident early this morning, six young men out for a morning walk near Katli village in Gadchiroli district were hit by an unidentified speeding vehicle on Thursday morning. The accident occurred between 5 and 6 am on the Armori-Gadchiroli highway.

Two of the youths died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the district general hospital. The remaining two are in critical condition and have been airlifted to Nagpur for further treatment.

Enraged Villagers Block Highway

The incident has sparked massive outrage among locals. In protest, residents reportedly blocked the highway, leading to a major traffic jam on the Armori-Gadchiroli route. Large crowds from nearby villages including Katli, Sakhra and Porla gathered at the accident site. The Gadchiroli police arrived immediately at the scene and initiated relief efforts. Disturbing videos from the accident site and the hospital have surfaced on the internet.

According to reports, the six youths had gone for their routine morning exercise near the Katli bridge when a vehicle traveling from Armori to Gadchiroli veered off course and ran them over. The victims were identified as Pinku Namdev Bhoyar (14) and Tanmay Balaji Mankar (16), both residents of Katli, who died instantly.

Dishant Duryadhan Meshram and Tushar Rajendra Marbate were declared dead at the district hospital. The two critically injured, Kshitij Tulnidas Meshram and Aditya Dhananjay Kohapte, were first treated locally before being shifted to Nagpur by helicopter.

Maharashtra CM Expresses Sorrow, Announces Aid For Victims’ Families

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a post shared by the official handle of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, he described the deaths as extremely unfortunate and painful. He offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and assured that the state government stands by them in their time of grief.

The Chief Minister announced financial aid of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each deceased victim. He also stated that the state will bear the full medical expenses of the injured youths, including airlifting them to Nagpur for specialised treatment. An investigation into the identity of the vehicle and the driver responsible is currently underway.

Mumbai: A startling detail has emerged in the investigation of the Rs434 crore drug lab busted in Mysuru, Karnataka—the accused allegedly used a coded method involving shirt photos to facilitate the transport of MD drugs to Mumbai. The Sakinaka police revealed that the operation was divided between two independent groups: one focused on manufacturing the drugs and the other handling distribution. In a calculated move to ensure anonymity and minimise risk, members of each group were kept unaware of their counterparts’ identities.

The contraband was distributed across various locations using a network of street-level dealers. The entire transportation route operated on the ground—no air or rail travel was involved. This ensured lower surveillance risks and easier movement across states.

A police officer stated, “When an individual went to collect the drugs, he did not share his contact number or name. A middleman sent the drug collector’s shirt photo to the manufacturer. The drug collector and manufacturer never exchanged names or contact details. The delivery was made solely based on the shirt photo.”

According to the police, once the MD (Mephedrone) drugs were produced at the Mysuru unit, a courier from there would travel by bus to Bengaluru. Simultaneously, a member of the Mumbai syndicate would also arrive in Bengaluru. To confirm identity, the Mumbai operative would send a photo of his shirt via WhatsApp. The courier, after matching the shirt pattern, would transfer the consignment. The Mumbai gang member would then return to the city with the narcotics—again by road.

The police suspect that this busted lab is part of a much broader international network, possibly linked to organised crime syndicates. As the investigation widens, authorities believe further arrests and connections may emerge in the coming days.