The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) approved ‘Third Mumbai’, a metropolis around Navi Mumbai International Airport. The city will have residential, business, data, and financial hubs.
The state administration has finalized a broad skeletal concept for a new metropolis termed ‘Third Mumbai’ to provide better housing, infrastructure, and transport to the rising population of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The city will be built around Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will be connected to Mumbai by the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL).
Sources from the state government said this proposal was approved last week.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to receive the mandate to reshape the far ends of MMR, which is under the New Town Development Authority (NTDA). NTDA would cover 323 sq.kms of Ulwe, Pen, Panvel, Uran, Karjat, and neighboring areas.
Around 200 villages, including 80-90 in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), may form part of NTDA.
“We call it the Third Mumbai because it will have all the infrastructure a developed city needs. It will have luxury and affordable housing, commercial buildings, data centers, MNC and bank headquarters, financial enterprises, and big knowledge parks. “There will be strong public transportation,” stated a government official.
This city is intended to enhance economic activity and GDP. “A second BKC is planned for Kharghar. A government official stated 150 hectares of land will be available to convert it into a commercial area that will attract Indian and MNC enterprises.
The government intends to build MMR to reach a USD 0.25 trillion economy. Mumbai is 600 sq km, Navi Mumbai 344 sq km, and Naina 370 sq km with 174 villages.
Sources say the MMRDA and NITI Aayog are working together to enhance Mumbai’s GDP from $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030, with the anticipated Third Mumbai being a key part. The MMR economic masterplan is also being created.
The MTHL and Navi Mumbai International Airport are predicted to increase India’s GDP by 1%. The new airport is expected to open next December, relieving Mumbai airport and improving regional connectivity. The first phase should handle 20 million passengers yearly.
At an MMRDA meeting last month, the need to develop additional economic and commercial zones around Mumbai was emphasized. Developers say excessive development fees are preventing affordable homes like in Naina.
“MMRDA should prioritize the MMR over Mumbai public infrastructure. “When MMR is developed with residential and commercial spaces, then suburban local train crowds will reduce,” said Mumbai Mobility Forum member AV Shenoy.
Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation plans a ₹812 crore Panvel-Karjat suburban rail route to enhance public transportation. “The work on this double rail line is underway with physical completion of 43% and estimated completion is December 2025,” said an MRVC official.
The rail project covers five railway stations, including Panvel and Karjat, with three tunnels and two rail flyovers. MRVC officials reported 57 hectares of private and 4.4 hectares of government land were purchased. The project needs 9.13 hectares of forest land with authorization.
MRVC has started construction stations in Panvel, Chikhale, Mohape, Chowk, and Karjat. A new route will link Navi Mumbai to MMR’s Raigad district. It will also boost Panvel, Karjat, Naina, and the projected NTDA. Local trains from Mumbai to Karjat via Panvel will operate.
Conclusion
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has proposed building a ‘Third Mumbai’ to improve housing, infrastructure, and transportation for the expanding population. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link will connect Navi Mumbai International Airport to Mumbai, where the city will be built. For altering MMR’s far ends, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would be tasked with creating the New Town Development Authority (NTDA). NTDA may include 200 villages, including 80-90 in the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA).
The Third Mumbai will have residential, commercial, data center, MNC and bank hubs, financial enterprises, and big knowledge parks. Strong public transportation will also result. The government wants to build MMR to reach a USD 0.25 trillion economy.
By 2030, the MMRDA and NITI Aayog want to increase Mumbai’s GDP from $140 billion to $300 billion, with the Third Mumbai as a key component. Both the MTHL and Navi Mumbai International Airport are predicted to increase India’s GDP by 1%.
