Maharashtra is currently aiming to create a new commercial centre called Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), while Mumbai has long been India’s financial centre. On February 28, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave a speech at the second Mumbai Tech Week, outlining the ambitious plan for NAINA and establishing it as the state’s next significant commercial hub. Fadnavis recognised the need for growth while reiterating Mumbai’s position as a business capital, saying that it is time to establish a new commercial centre that can meet changing corporate needs.
NAINA is being developed as a vast urban agglomeration surrounding the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport in Raigad district. The planned city is expected to be three times the size of Mumbai and strategically designed to accommodate new industries, technology firms, and global investors. Located just 25 minutes from Mumbai’s current financial hub, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), NAINA aims to serve as a well-connected economic powerhouse that will ease congestion in Mumbai while driving fresh economic opportunities.
Leading NAINA’s development is the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which makes sure the project adheres to a planned urban planning concept. It is one of the biggest planned urban developments in India, covering 371 square kilometres and methodically combining commercial, industrial, and residential areas. With areas set aside for technological parks, financial districts, and logistics hubs, the city’s structure takes a thematic development strategy, resulting in a productive and sustainable environment for both people and enterprises.
One of NAINA’s biggest advantages lies in its connectivity, which will seamlessly link it to Mumbai and other key economic centres. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), a vital sea bridge, will significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, enhancing accessibility. Additionally, a proposed metro network will ensure smooth public transportation within NAINA and its neighbouring regions. Well-developed highways will further facilitate easy connectivity to business districts such as BKC and industrial corridors across Maharashtra.
Maharashtra is adopting a decentralised approach to urbanisation as Mumbai struggles with traffic and infrastructure limitations. A vital component of this shift is NAINA, which provides a contemporary and sustainable substitute for Mumbai’s congested business district. With its cutting-edge infrastructure, excellent connectivity, and planning for the future, NAINA is set to revolutionise urban living and economic expansion and open the door to a new era of development outside of Mumbai’s conventional borders.
Source: The Free Press Journal
