The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has begun the process of land acquisition for its ambitious ‘Third Mumbai’ project, a new town development planned in the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) area of Raigad district. This initiative marks a significant step towards expanding urban development beyond the existing city limits and aims to create a major technology and infrastructure hub.
The MMRDA, designated as the New Town Development Authority (NTDA), has notified a substantial area of 323.44 square kilometres, encompassing 124 villages across the Uran, Panvel, and Pen talukas of Raigad. The land acquisition process is being conducted under the framework of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, with a focus on a participatory approach. Landowners have been offered multiple compensation options, including monetary compensation through mutual agreement, compensation in the form of Floor Space Index (FSI) or Transferable Development Rights (TDR), and a land pooling model where landowners will receive 22.5% of the developed land back. This model is inspired by the successful framework implemented in Navi Mumbai.
The ‘Third Mumbai’ project is strategically located near key infrastructure projects, including the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu corridor, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor. This positioning is expected to significantly enhance connectivity and reduce travel times between Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and the surrounding regions. The new town is envisioned as a self-sustaining city, aiming to foster the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $300 billion by 2030.
The project’s objectives include the development of technology and financial districts, global capability centers (GCCs), data centers, IT/ITeS hubs, healthcare zones, and logistics infrastructure. Authorities anticipate that this development will generate over two lakh direct jobs and attract substantial private and foreign investment, thereby boosting regional economic growth. The plan also emphasizes localized rehabilitation, with landowners in Uran and Panvel set to receive developed plots within Uran, and those in Pen receiving plots within Pen taluka, ensuring that economic value is retained for original landholders.
The MMRDA has urged landowners to submit their consent forms online through the official MMRDA website, along with necessary documents such as Aadhaar cards and land ownership records (7/12 and 8A extracts). The digitization of the consent process is expected to expedite the acquisition and minimize potential disputes. The project also aims to avoid ecologically sensitive areas, including mangroves, forests, and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) zones, reflecting a commitment to sustainable development. The Maharashtra government officially designated MMRDA as the NTDA for the project on October 15, 2025.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
