The Karnataka govt's decision to not extend the Bangalore Turf Club's lease might be warning bell for city's green lung
The Karnataka govt's decision to not extend the Bangalore Turf Club's lease might be warning bell for city's green lung
In an unprecedented move, the Karnataka government recently refused to extend the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) lease beyond December 2009 and has ordered the racing body to shift out of the prime racecourse grounds in Bengaluru, to an alternate venue.
Reports are filtering in that Chikkajala, on the highway en route to the Bengaluru international airport, has been chosen. This could lead to alarm bells in Mumbai.
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Several politicians have,u00a0 in the past, suggested that the prime Mahalakshmi Race Course land be put to 'alternate' use and racing in Mumbai be shifted to the outskirts. The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), which controls racing in the city, has a lease agreement with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which expires in 2013.
Different issues
Legal eagle Satish Maneshinde, RWITC member, says that despite some parallels, the needs and exigencies of Mumbai and Bengaluru are "different".u00a0 "Mahalakshmi is a major open space and important from an ecological viewpoint. It is a heritage structure too. There is no reason for the government here to ask Mahalakshmi to vacate. If they do so, it may be viewed as discriminatory under Article 14 of the Constitution. There are golf courses and many gymkhana grounds, so how can they target only RWITC?"
Optimistic outlook
Despite reassurances, Vivek Jain, media and marketing chairman, RWITC, does admit, "Some politicians have talked of usage of the land for projects such as a car park, flyovers... The club and citizens need to be watchful of any attempt to usurp our property." Jain too feels that nothing can choke the green lung of this city "which is used by for recreation by walkers/joggers, people who practise yoga and as a public park with open access".u00a0 He ends optimistically, "I'm sure we have a strong case to convince the Corporation/State for an extension of the lease when the matter comes up in a few years."
With inputs by Prakash Gosavi
u00a0
Builders, politicians eye Mahalakshmi Race Course pie
Some attempts raise concern that the prime South Mumbai area is under threat:u00a0
>>The racecourse was to be given to a builder called Pegasus for 're-development'. Massive protests and people power foiled this attempt.
>>A builder tried to gain a back door entry through the Slum Rehabilitation Scheme.
>>Vijaypat Singhania writes a letter to State Finance Minister Jayant Patil that Mahalakshmi Race Course be shut down.
>>Mayor Shubha Raul wants to turn racecourse into a car park. She also wanted to open a dolphin park
and make it a tourist attraction.
>>Reports that a flyover would run above the racecourse stables filters in.
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