After Delhi Gymkhana row, Maharashtra moves to tighten government’s grip on Mumbai’s 16 clubs on public land

The move follows a government resolution (GR) issued in February this year. According to the resolution, the state revenue and forest department has proposed setting up a study group to review existing policies governing gymkhanas and clubs across Maharashtra.

“In Mumbai as well as several other districts in the state, government owned lands have been allotted to Gymkhanas on lease basis at a subsidised rate. To ensure that the functioning of the Gymkhanas become more inclusive in the future and to also ensure that these lands can also benefit the common public going forward, a study group is being appointed to review the existing policies of gymkhanas and clubs and to make necessary changes wherever required,” the GR stated.

The document added that the proposed policy amendments would also seek to make club memberships more transparent and re-evaluate the existing revenue model.

In space-starved Mumbai, where public open spaces remain scarce, gymkhanas and clubs occupy a significant share of the city’s green cover. According to a report by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), gymkhanas and VIP clubs occupy 664 acres — nearly one-fifth of Mumbai’s total 3,780 acres of open space. The report noted that Mumbaikars have access to just 1.28 square metres of open space per capita.

Government records show that Mumbai has more than 20 gymkhanas and clubs. Membership fees at several elite clubs reportedly go up to Rs 1 crore, while waiting periods in some cases stretch beyond two decades.

Of the 20 gymkhanas in Mumbai, 16 stand on collector-owned land. These plots were leased out at nominal rates during the colonial era for setting up social and recreational clubs for the British. Today, these institutions count among their members elite citizens and senior bureaucrats, some of whom receive service memberships during their tenure.

On Friday, the collector’s office summoned office-bearers of all 16 gymkhanas for one-on-one meetings with Mumbai’s additional collector. The gymkhanas included Bombay Gymkhana, Hindu Gymkhana, Islam Gymkhana, Parsee Gymkhana and Wodehouse Gymkhana.

“We consulted with the Gymkhana administration on a one-on-one basis seeking their cooperation throughout the process of our review. We also aim to involve them in the process since there should be a transparent methodology as they are the current leaseholders of these plots,” a senior government official told The Indian Express.

Officials said nine teams comprising government officers had conducted physical inspections of all 16 gymkhanas over the past week. The inspections included scrutiny of land records, actual land usage and any structural alterations.

Officials also clarified that Maharashtra’s exercise was unrelated to the Union government’s move involving Delhi Gymkhana.

“Our policy was drafted as early as February and since then we have held multiple meetings with the authorities. This is a standalone issue and has no relationship with the union ministry’s move,” the official added.

Apart from recreational and social activities, several gymkhanas also rent out their premises for weddings, concerts and other events.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a member of a prominent gymkhana who attended Friday’s meeting said, “Today’s meeting was mainly about the state government officials discussing about increasing the lease and license fees for Gymkhanas. Earlier, the Gymkhanas would only pay an annual revenue, however going forward they may also charge us tariffs for hosting concerts or banquet events in our premises.”

How BMC took over Mahalaxmi Racecourse

In 2024, the BMC took over 120 acres of the 211-acre Mahalaxmi Racecourse to develop a public open space modelled on New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park. The remaining 91 acres continued to remain with the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), which has managed the property since the 19th century.

The 211-acre plot, jointly owned by the BMC and the state government, was first leased to the RWITC in 1914 for 30 years. The lease was renewed in 1964 for another 30 years and again in 1994 for 19 years. The final lease expired in May 2013 and was never renewed.

It was in 2013 that proposals to convert the land into a theme park first emerged. Although the RWITC had applied for a lease renewal, the state government did not take a final decision on the request.

The BMC also refrained from charging rent between 2013 and 2023. Civic officials had argued that collecting rent could create the perception that the civic body intended to extend the lease.Maharashtra govt begins review of Mumbai gymkhanas on public land, eyes wider public access.