To foster balanced urban growth and ease the pressure on Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the Maharashtra government has greenlit the development of Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town (KSC New Town) as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s third major urban hub. Officially spanning 323.44 square kilometres across 124 villages in the Raigad district, KSC New Town is being positioned as a high-potential, sustainable, and technology-driven smart city that will complement the financial capital’s ever-growing needs.
Strategically located near the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link), KSC New Town is expected to drastically improve east-west and north-south connectivity within the region. As part of the upcoming Mumbai Urban Transport Project – Phase 4 (MUTP-4), advanced suburban rail corridors will link KSC with both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, slashing travel times and enabling seamless multimodal access.
A standout feature of the project is its vision to become an international academic hub. As per Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, five globally ranked foreign universities—including institutions from the USA, UK, and Australia—are in advanced talks to establish campuses in the planned ‘Edu City’ within KSC. These universities will offer programmes in engineering, healthcare, technology, and business management, with an aim to create a globally competitive talent pool right in the Mumbai region.
This academic ecosystem, bolstered by research parks and innovation zones, is expected to turn KSC New Town into a magnet for students, startups, and multinationals seeking talent and R&D capabilities—all within proximity to Mumbai’s core business districts.
What sets KSC New Town apart is its strong emphasis on sustainability and smart urban planning. The development blueprint includes eco-sensitive infrastructure, expansive green belts, renewable energy integration, and water-sensitive urban design. Key features will include smart mobility systems, underground utility corridors, decentralised waste management, and abundant public spaces—all designed to promote a high quality of life with minimal environmental impact.
By integrating nature into urban form, KSC New Town aims to serve as a model for climate-resilient development, in line with Maharashtra’s broader sustainability goals.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been appointed as the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) for KSC New Town. Empowered with land acquisition rights and planning authority, MMRDA will drive all aspects of implementation—from zoning and infrastructure to residential and institutional development. This unified governance model is expected to fast-track approvals and ensure coordinated, efficient rollout.
Dubbed the “Third Mumbai,” KSC New Town is not just a satellite city—it’s a vision of future-ready urbanisation. With direct links to economic corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, major ports like JNPT, and international gateways like NMIA, the new town is poised to become a critical node in Maharashtra’s growth map.
KSC New Town will also serve as a counter-magnet to the intense population and development pressures faced by Mumbai, while still staying economically and socially connected to the city’s pulse.
Source: Urban Acres
