Mumbai's Urban Development Department plans to develop "Third Mumbai" around the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link. The project includes 124 villages, aiming to address the low usage of the MTHL. The first notification allocates land to the NTDA for development, while the second removes CIDCO's authority over certain villages, transferring it to the NTDA. The goal is to create a sustainable, business-friendly region with mixed-use areas and amenities. The project is expected to boost economic growth and development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The State Urban Development Department (UDD) in Mumbai has taken steps towards the development of 'Third Mumbai' around the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) or Atal Setu. 124 villages have been included in the proposed Third Mumbai. The decision was put across two notifications and aims to address the lukewarm response from motorists following the recent inauguration of the MTHL by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The first notification focuses on allocating a sizable area around the MTHL to the MMRDA-headed New Town Development Authority (NTDA) for development purposes. This move is anticipated to have a profoundly positive impact on the economic growth and development of the region, thus ensuring the economic viability of the MTHL project.
The area earmarked for development spans across 124 villages covering approximately 323.44 square kilometers. This includes 80 villages from the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), 33 villages from the Khopta New Town Notified Area, 2 villages from the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan, and 9 villages from the Raigad Regional Plan. Since some areas from NAINA and Khopta New Town Notified Area have been moved to New Town Development Authority (NTDA), the state UDD has decided to seek suggestions and objections about the modifications.
Furthermore, the government has withdrawn the appointment of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) as the Special Planning Authority for certain villages, opting instead for the MMRDA-led NTDA to take charge. The decision was announced in the second notification, which also solicits objections and suggestions regarding this change.
MMRDA envisions planning this region as a livable and environmentally friendly greenfield Sustainable Business Centre with Smart City features, providing regional-level amenities with mixed-use and integrated residential areas for job creation and economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
A senior CIDCO officer expressed acceptance of the decision, citing constraints posed by Coastal Zone Regulations on the development potential of certain areas under CIDCO's jurisdiction. The officer highlighted that despite efforts to develop the Khopta and Pen areas, progress has been hindered. However, there is optimism that a unified approach led by the NTDA, under MMRDA, will expedite progress.
These developments signal a significant shift in urban planning strategies, aiming to stimulate growth and development in the region surrounding the MTHL, thereby laying the groundwork for the emergence of 'Third Mumbai'.
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