As Navi Mumbai undergoes a new phase of urban and real estate development, legal experts and industry stakeholders have stressed that informed policy decisions and thorough legal due diligence will play a crucial role in determining long-term investment success.
The observations were made during the inaugural edition of the Real Estate Study Circle (RESC) Knowledge Series, organised by Universal Legal, a Mumbai-based law firm specialising in real estate, redevelopment, land acquisition, infrastructure projects and regulatory advisory. Held on July 13, 2026, the session brought together developers, institutional investors, landowners, consultants and legal professionals to discuss the impact of infrastructure, governance, land policies and urban planning on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s evolving property market.
Titled “Big Policy Shifts. Strategic Land Opportunities. Navi Mumbai’s Next Growth Phase,” the session focused on helping stakeholders understand the legal, regulatory and planning frameworks shaping Navi Mumbai’s growth while highlighting the importance of title verification and informed investment decisions.
The discussions come at a time when several large-scale infrastructure projects are progressing across the region. According to Knight Frank Research, residential prices in key micro-markets surrounding the Navi Mumbai International Airport have witnessed strong appreciation over the past decade. Between 2015 and the first half of 2025, Ulwe recorded nearly 178 per cent price growth, followed by Dronagiri at 161 per cent and Kharghar at 125 per cent. With the airport now operational, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) enhancing connectivity and the proposed Aerocity expected to boost commercial activity, the report projects an additional 10-15 per cent appreciation across nearby micro-markets in the near term.
The event also highlighted the planned development of the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, a 323.44 sq km township spread across 124 villages, which is expected to become one of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s largest planned urban developments.
Sharing his views, Adv. Apurva Agarwal, Founder of Universal Legal, said, “The biggest risk for investors today is no longer choosing the wrong location – it is misunderstanding the policy and legal framework governing that location. As Navi Mumbai enters a new investment cycle, infrastructure will undoubtedly create opportunities, but policy awareness, title verification and rigorous legal due diligence will determine who creates sustainable long-term value.”
He further added, “We are witnessing a gradual shift from momentum-driven investing towards more strategic decision-making. Infrastructure announcements may attract attention, but long-term value will increasingly be created through planned urban development, regulatory clarity and disciplined execution. Investors who understand these structural drivers early – and conduct the right legal checks before investing – will be significantly better positioned in the years ahead.”
The inaugural RESC Knowledge Series concluded with a consensus that stronger collaboration between developers, investors, policymakers and legal experts will be essential for navigating Navi Mumbai’s rapidly evolving real estate landscape.
Source: Business Standard
