The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) had an Open House on January 18 evening at the Mahalaxmi race course where Municipal Commissioner I S Chahal spoke to members about the BMC proposal to take over the major portion of the 221 acres of racecourse land for a public park and co-exist with racing. The proposal cited 120 acres for the BMC public garden and 91 acres as a racecourse area.

At the interactive session of the meet, former RWITC chairman, Zavaray Poonawalla, from the Poonawalla family, piqued interest as he told the Commissioner, “If it's only about making a garden and maintaining it, the Poonawallas are ready and willing to make a public park at the Mahalaxmi racecourse.” Amongst other points that Z Poonawalla made on other proposals of BMC, he said, “The family along with the RWITC and the BMC is ready to make and maintain a public park, accessible to all. We already maintain a public park, Gool Poonawalla Garden in Salisbury Park, Pune and we can do one here too.”