The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has made a major decision to allow residential development on previously industrial land in the Thane-Belapur region. This change was announced shortly before the election code of conduct came into effect on October 15. The quick decision has sparked a controversy.
Under this plan, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) would receive 225 acres from MIDC to build housing complexes. Private developers would carry out the construction work. It will use encroached land in the Thane-Belapur industrial area.
The land in question stretches along the Sion-Panvel Highway and Thane-Belapur road. Over the years, it has been occupied by slums and unauthorised buildings. The goal is to support cluster redevelopment and possibly make a new urban district in Navi Mumbai.
As per sources, for many years, slum redevelopment in this region has been discussed. This plan was influenced by the Island Group Development Scheme. It focuses on large-scale housing and integrated development. If the redevelopment project proceeds, the area could see rapid growth in both residential and commercial real estate, adding a new district to Navi Mumbai.
Discussions about a cluster development project in the Thane-Belapur belt, which covers areas like Digha, Airoli, Mahape, Pawne, Turbhe, and Shiravane, have been ongoing over the past month. As per reports, the land’s value could reach thousands of crores.
Earlier proposals from NMMC for redeveloping the encroached land included creating a special purpose vehicle (SPV) business. This joint venture, with a 51-49 percent split between NMMC and MIDC, would have required a feasibility study. However, NMMC rejected this conditional arrangement for a straightforward land transfer.
The plan may also address Navi Mumbai’s scarcity of open space, which stands at about 3 square meters per person—well below the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended 9 square meters. In Mumbai, the figure is even lower at 1.1 square meters per person.
As the plan progresses, the Thane-Belapur industrial area could reportedly transition into an important residential and commercial hub next to Mumbai.
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