The urban development department (UDD) has invited suggestions and objections from the general public from 124 villages that have now been made a part of the proposed Third Mumbai. Third Mumbai largely consists of area that falls under the influence zone of the recently opened Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), or Atal Setu. MTHL is expected to have a major impact on the economic development and growth of the region and the state govt has decided to tap the potential that will emanate from this project.
On Dec 12, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was appointed the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) for area that falls under the MTHL influence zone. MMRDA has envisaged Third Mumbai as a liveable and environment-friendly greenfield sustainable business centre with smart city features. It will have regional-level amenities with mixed-use and integrated residential areas for job creation and economic growth of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Of the 124 villages, 80 villages are from Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), 33 villages from the Khopta New Town Notified Area, two villages from Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan and nine from the Raigad Regional Plan. Since some of the areas from NAINA and Khopta New Town Notified Area have been moved to NTDA, UDD has decided to seek suggestions and objections about the modifications. A notification issued by state UDD said: “The suggestion and/or objections in respect of the proposed modification [are sought] from the general public within 30 days (April 3). The suggestions and/or objections shall be addressed to the joint director of town planning, Konkan Division, 3rd floor, main building, room no. 305, Konkan Bhavan, Navi Mumbai- 400601.”
State government invites suggestions and objections for Third Mumbai
The Urban Development Department (UDD) has invited public suggestions and objections for the proposed Third Mumbai, covering 124 villages in the influence zone of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been appointed as the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) to develop a sustainable business center with smart city features.
“We are calling it the Third Mumbai which will have all the necessary infrastructure that a well-developed city should have. From residential (luxury and affordable), commercial complexes, data centres, hubs for MNCs and banks, and financial companies to large knowledge parks; it will have everything. A robust public transportation shall also be developed there,” said a government official.
This city has been proposed to further boost economic activity and contribute to the country’s GDP. “There is a plan to develop a second BKC in Kharghar. Around 150 hectares of land is expected to be available for developing it into a purely commercial area that would attract both Indian companies and MNCs,” said a government official.
The government already has plans to develop MMR that will generate potential to touch a USD 0.25 trillion economy. Mumbai city covers approx 600 sq kms of area, Navi Mumbai around 344 sq kms while Naina is on 370 sq kms area with 174 villages.
Sources said that the MMRDA and the country’s planning agency of NITI Aayog are jointly working towards taking measures to raise Mumbai’s gross domestic product from the existing $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030, of which the proposed Third Mumbai is an important part of the same. An economic masterplan for MMR is also being prepared.
Both the MTHL and Navi Mumbai International Airport are further expected to boost India’s GDP by 1 percentage point. The proposed airport is expected to open next December which will not only alleviate pressure on Mumbai airport but also enhance regional connectivity. The first phase is expected to handle 20 million passengers annually.
Meanwhile earlier last month in a discussion organised by the MMRDA, the need to evolve newer areas around Mumbai for economic and commercial activities was discussed. However, the developers are having a contention that the opportunity for affordable housing is getting circumvented as in the case of Naina due to exorbitant development charges.