Navi Mumbai all set to become new IT and service sector hub

Navi Mumbai is all set to become the new hub for the IT and service sector of Maharashtra.

The Navi Mumbai Integrated Industrial Township (NMIIT), which is being promoted jointly by the state-owned City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Group, will be transformed into a bustling centre for the service sector, with educational and research institutes also being promoted.

The Maharashtra government issued a government resolution (GR) on February 17, 2023, allowing the service sector to operate on 85% of the land earmarked for industrial uses in NMIIT. This move is expected to foster economic growth and create a hub for next-generation IT and related services.

The NMIIT was originally designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) but was later transformed into an industrial township. The ratio between industrial facilities and housing developments in the township is 85:15.

Once the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) is completed, the area will be easily accessible from Mumbai and will be connected to both national and international destinations through the forthcoming international airport.

Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, spoke at a recent public event about Navi Mumbai's development as a centre for the service sector. He believes that allowing the service sector to operate on this Industrial Township property will strengthen the state's economy. The government hopes to create an ecosystem for the IT sector and service sector, and with the development of NMIIT, they are one step closer to achieving this goal.

Bhushan Gagrani, assistant chief secretary (urban development), stated that Navi Mumbai already has an ecosystem for the IT sector and service sector, and the development of the township will only help in the further growth of this sector. The service sector can also include industry-academic partnerships to promote training and skill development programmes through skill development centres, research and development centres, and training centres for art, performance, and sports, among others.

The township covers 5,350 acres of land and was originally intended to be an SEZ. However, the SEZ strategy for the land was unsuccessful for a number of reasons, and the state government accepted a proposal to transform it into an industrial township.