Maharashtra is planning a new urban centre beyond Navi Mumbai as growing pressure on land, housing and infrastructure drives the expansion of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The proposed Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, popularly referred to as Mumbai 3.0, will cover 323.44 sq km across 124 villages in Uran, Panvel and Pen talukas of Raigad district.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been designated as the New Town Development Authority for the project. For 2026-27, it has earmarked Rs 4,000 crore for the development of the KSC New Town.
The proposed city is strategically located near the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu and Navi Mumbai International Airport, placing it within a rapidly developing infrastructure corridor.
Planned As A New Economic Centre
Mumbai 3.0 is being planned as more than a residential expansion. The proposed urban centre is expected to accommodate commercial areas, technology hubs, logistics facilities, data centres, healthcare, education and housing.
Around 104 sq km is planned for townships and industrial corridors, while other areas will retain green zones, forests and rural settlements. The objective is to create employment opportunities alongside housing and reduce dependence on long-distance commuting.
Vishal N Ratanghayra, Founder & CEO of Platinum Corp., said, “Mumbai 3.0 has the potential to fundamentally reshape the growth trajectory of the MMR by moving beyond the traditional model of residential expansion and creating a new, integrated economic centre.”
Infrastructure To Drive Growth
The project is expected to benefit from the Atal Setu, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Panvel-Karjat railway corridor, Virar-Alibaug multimodal corridor and Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Abhishek Raj, Promoter, Jenika Ventures, said, “The development of Mumbai 3.0, or the Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town, marks a significant shift in the way the Mumbai Metropolitan Region can accommodate future growth.”
He added, “Such large-scale and infrastructure-driven development can offer new micro-markets, create employment opportunities, and generate housing needs, commercial needs and allied services demands.”
Land Acquisition Underway
MMRDA has offered landowners in the 124 villages various compensation options, including monetary compensation, development rights and land pooling.
The project is expected to develop gradually, with initial phases potentially taking shape towards the end of this decade. The broader urban ecosystem, however, will require a much longer period to mature.
Source: NDTV
