Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has criticised the state government over its plans for the proposed ‘Third Mumbai’, alleging that the project could benefit outsiders while local residents may lose their land and livelihoods.
Addressing a press conference, Thackeray questioned the government’s lack of communication with people living in the areas covered by the project. He said residents, particularly young people, were largely unaware of the government’s plans for the proposed new city.
The proposed ‘Third Mumbai’, officially known as the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, is planned across around 323.44 sq km covering 124 villages in the Pen, Panvel and Uran talukas of Raigad district. The project is intended to decongest the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and create a new economic and urban growth centre.
Thackeray said the proposed city would include facilities such as an education hub, medical facilities, sports infrastructure, data centres, global capability centres and research institutions.
“Does Maharashtra know what the government intends to do in Third Mumbai? Are our youth ready for this?” he questioned.
He also raised concerns over land acquisition in the region, claiming that local residents were being affected while there was little clarity about how they would benefit from the development.
According to Thackeray, young people from Maharashtra should be given adequate information and opportunities to prepare for the employment and business opportunities expected to emerge from the new city. He alleged that people from other states were already more aware of the project and could be better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities.
The MNS chief also questioned land transactions in the region and alleged that land-related dealings had become a major business in Maharashtra. He urged local residents to oppose land acquisition if it threatened their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has appointed Singapore-based Surbana Jurong Infrastructure to prepare the vision document, master plan and planning framework for Mumbai 3.0.
The proposed master plan will examine land use, transportation, infrastructure, environmental conditions and social facilities before laying out a long-term development strategy for the region.
The project is expected to play a significant role in the future expansion of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, but Thackeray has demanded greater transparency and consultation with local residents before the development plans move ahead.
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