Maharashtra government approves proposal to construct ‘Third Mumbai’
Maharashtra government approves proposal to construct ‘Third Mumbai’
By: Pune Pulse
December 18, 2023
The goal of the state government’s finalized broad outline proposal for the development of a new city named the ‘Third Mumbai’ is to provide the expanding population of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) with better housing, infrastructure, and reliable transportation options.
The proposed city is centered on the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will be connected to Mumbai by the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, a vital connector.
The task of reshaping the distant reaches of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region—for which the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) was established—is anticipated to fall within the mandate of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
About 200 villages will be included in the NTDA, with 80–90 of those falling under the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).
A senior government official said that they are referring to it as the ‘Third Mumbai’ and it will be equipped with every facility a modern city needs. It will have everything, including luxurious and reasonably priced homes, business buildings, data centres, MNC and bank hubs, financial companies, and sizable knowledge parks. There will also be the development of a strong public transportation system.
The government is already planning to develop MMR, which could have an impact on the economy worth USD 0.25 trillion. Mumbai City is roughly 600 square kilometres in size, Navi Mumbai is about 344 square kilometres, and Naina is 370 square kilometres with 174 villages.
It is anticipated that the MTHL and Navi Mumbai International Airport will each increase India’s GDP by 1%. The planned airport is anticipated to open in December next year, which will improve regional connectivity while also relieving some of the strain on Mumbai Airport. It is anticipated that the first phase will serve 20 million passengers a year.
In a separate discussion held earlier this month, the MMRDA brought up the necessity of developing the newer areas surrounding Mumbai for business and economic activity.
Nonetheless, the developers argue that excessive development fees are obstructing the possibility of affordable housing, as demonstrated in the case of Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).
