The Third Mumbai has been named as Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town (KSC New Town) on Monday by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). It is after the name of three villages that the city is name.
Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town
It was in 2013 that the Third Mumbai, also known as the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), was announced in order to prevent the haphazard growth of the upcoming airport area.
With an area of 323.44 sq km, the city shall be an environment-friendly township with the features of Smart City.
The new name, Karnala-Sai-Chirner, highlights the importance of three villages. First one, Karnala is known for the Karnala Bird as well as the historic Karnala Fort.
Sai village, nestled in the lush greenery of the Western Ghats, offers an ideal retreat for nature lovers.
Chirner is one of country’s largest container ports and it plays a vital role due to its strategic proximity to major infrastructure. It is located near the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).
MMRDA Appointed as New Town Development Authority
It is the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) that has been officially appointed as the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) of the city, a governing body that plans new towns in India.
It was on October 15 that final decision was taken in this regards with the Maharashtra government issuing three notifications towards the same. “…to improve connectivity and reduce travel time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, MMRDA has developed Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link, which is expected to have a major positive impact on the economic development and growth of the region…” reads one of the notifications issued by the Urban Development Department.
It was in August 2023, that MMRDA asked the state government to be the NTDA for the MTHL area, in order to make the project financially viable by benefiting from increased land values.
The MTHL sea link, which is 21.8 km long, cost ₹17,843 crores and saw over 725,000 vehicles in August.
Out of total 124 villages which were affected by the same, 80 are from the Navi Mumbai Airport area, 33 from Khopta New Town, 2 from the Mumbai plan, and 9 from Raigad.
CIDCO will no longer oversee the 33 villages in Khopta. MMRDA will now create planning proposals and can acquire land in the area.
