In 2025, surveys will be carried out to support the development of the Third Mumbai in Raigad, also known as Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town (KSC New Town), with the goal of improving connectivity and cutting down on travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. This ambitious project is expected to become a major tech hub, housing 65% of the country’s data centres.
Private companies were recently invited by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to conduct extensive ground research and aerial surveys over 124 villages, totalling 323.44 square kilometres. The majority of this region is made up of farms, hills, and forests.
Drone technology will be used for preliminary surveys, and Lidar and other cutting-edge techniques will be used for in-depth studies. “As part of the survey process, the MMRDA will appoint a consultant to oversee aerial surveys, perform ground verifications, and gather land ownership data, ultimately creating a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based map,” according to sources.
A private company will also be hired to create KSC New Town’s vision paper, thorough master plan, and development strategy. Initial aerial and ground investigations are expected to take six to eight months, and the overall master plan is expected to be finished by August 2026.
With 124 villages spread across 324 square kilometres, the new town is divided into 80 Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Areas (NAINA), 33 Khopta New Town Notified Areas, two Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plans, and nine Raigad Regional Plans. MMRDA was appointed Third Mumbai’s New Town Development Authority (NTDA) by the state government. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link’s (MTHL) Navi Mumbai end is located in this region.
MMRDA will draft comprehensive planning plans and development regulations for the notified area under the government resolution. Additionally, the authority has been given the right to acquire land, and it is required to set aside funds for this procedure.
To promote job development and economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), MMRDA envisions a sustainable, greenfield business hub with integrated residential areas, mixed-use spaces, and smart city amenities.
Additionally, MMRDA intends to use the CIDCO funding model, which provides developed land as compensation rather than cash payments.
Source: The Free Press Journal
