MUMBAI — In a major step toward realizing the ambitious Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town—popularly known as Third Mumbai—the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to officially begin the land acquisition process on April 27, 2026.
Following a state government resolution passed in March, the MMRDA, acting as the New Town Development Authority (NTDA), has opened an online portal to streamline the consent and documentation process for landowners.
Key Highlights of the Acquisition Process
The project encompasses a massive 323.44 sq km area, covering 124 villages across the Uran, Panvel, and Pen talukas in the Raigad district. This region sits directly within the influence zone of the Atal Setu (MTHL) and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Starting April 27, landowners can visit the official MMRDA website to submit their consent forms and upload necessary documents, including:
- Aadhaar Card
- 7/12 Extract (Land title document)
- 8A Extract (Landholding record)
Choose Your Compensation: A New Model
For the first time, the MMRDA is moving away from traditional “forced” acquisition, offering landowners three distinct paths to becoming partners in the city’s growth:
| Option | Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mutual Consent | Direct Purchase | Monetary compensation determined by current market rates and government norms. |
| 2. FSI / TDR | Development Rights | Landowners receive Floor Space Index (FSI) or Transferable Development Rights (TDR) to use or sell. |
| 3. Land Pooling | 22.5% Return | Based on the CIDCO model, 22.5% of the developed land is returned to the original owner with high-end infrastructure. |
Note: To ensure localized rehabilitation, owners in Uran and Panvel will receive developed plots within Uran, while those in Pen will be allotted land within the Pen taluka.
Why “Third Mumbai” Matters
The vision for Third Mumbai is to create a sustainable, smart city three times the size of the current island city. The development plan includes:
- Economic Hubs: Dedicated clusters for Data Centres, Fintech, and Global Capability Centres (GCC).
- Knowledge & Health: “Edu City” featuring campuses for top global universities and “Medi City” for advanced healthcare.
- Connectivity: Integrated with the Mumbai Suburban Railway extension, the Multi-Modal Corridor, and the Dedicated Freight Corridor.
What Landowners Need to Do
The MMRDA has emphasized that the online shift is designed to reduce disputes and speed up the project timeline. Affected villagers are encouraged to review the 124-village notification list on the MMRDA Official Website and prepare their digital documents before the April 27 kickoff.
With the goal of boosting the MMR economy to $300 billion by 2030, the KSC New Town is no longer just a blueprint—it is now officially on the ground.
Credit: Gemini AI https://gemini.google.com/app