MMRDA Opens Online Consent Drive for 124 KSC New Town Villages as Land Pooling Framework Takes Shape

What Happened: The Consent Process Opens

On April 27, 2026, MMRDA invites 124 villages to submit consent online for the proposed land acquisition and pooling under the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town project. Landowners will be able to submit consent through an online system starting April 27, 2026, marking a shift towards more inclusive and transparent development practices.

The move follows a Government Resolution dated 16/03/2026 that approved the Land Acquisition and land Allocation policy for New Town Development Authority and future projects implemented by MMRDA. Landowners from these areas will be required to submit documents such as Aadhaar details and land ownership records through the official MMRDA website in order to participate in the process.

Who Decided: Maharashtra Government and MMRDA

In October 2024, the Government of Maharashtra appointed MMRDA as New Town Development Authority (NTDA) for 124 villages in Uran, Panvel and Pen Tehsil in Raigad District. The State Cabinet approved the land acquisition and distribution policy, and the 'Third Mumbai' project is considered a pet project of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

To oversee the implementation of land acquisition policy, the urban development department has appointed a high-level committee. MMRDA's Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee said that the planning approach for Mumbai 3.0 is based on people and that the success of the project will depend on voluntary participation and public confidence in the process.

The Land Acquisition Framework: Three Pathways

One option allows acquisition through mutual consent, where compensation is decided through agreement under provisions of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Another option offers compensation in the form of development rights such as Floor Space Index (FSI) or Transferable Development Rights (TDR), along with additional incentives where applicable. The third option is a land pooling model, where landowners can exchange undeveloped land for developed plots. In this model, 22.5% of developed land will be returned to landowners.

Those from Uran and Panvel talukas will receive developed land in Uran, while landowners from Pen taluka will receive their share within Pen. The model ensures landowners are given ready-to-develop plots, which include vital infrastructure such as roads, water supply, electricity, and sewer systems.

If the land due under this refund scheme is less than 40 sq mts, then direct cash compensation would be given.

Numbers: Scale and Investment Commitment

The designated KSC New Town area comprises 323.44 sq km. MMRDA allocated ₹4,000 crore in its 2026-27 budget specifically for KSC New Town, reflecting commitment to infrastructure rollout. ₹6,000+ crore in CIDCO infrastructure tenders were cleared — the first such tender in twelve years.

The MMRDA has earmarked ₹4,000 crore out of its ₹4,600 crore budget to kickstart the project. Blackstone is investing $11 billion in Maharashtra — $5 billion specifically for Mumbai 3.0. Focus areas: data centres, commercial zones, infrastructure, smart-city models.

What Changes: From Agricultural to Planned Urban Land

The policy represents a departure from the traditional land acquisition approach and introduces a hybrid system combining acquisition with land pooling. This hybrid system combining acquisition with land pooling has been introduced, resulting in a more consultative and participatory approach to development in one of the state's major urban expansion projects.

The state government's land policy involves developing land and handing over a part of it to original owners. The authority has stated that this approach is intended to ensure that landowners are not only compensated but also benefit from the long-term value created through planned urbanisation.

Appointment of MMRDA as NTDA will enable MMRDA to generate revenue which can be re-invested to execute the large scale infrastructure projects required to cater to rapid urbanization and achieve balanced development of the region.

What Is Next: Master Plan, Surveys, and Phased Development

The master plan for KSC New Town is expected to be finalised by August 2026, while drone mapping and LiDAR surveys required for planning have already been completed. The Urban Development Department has appointed Singapore-based consultancy Surbana Jurong Infrastructure to prepare the comprehensive development blueprint.

Drone + LiDAR surveys are ongoing. Master plan finalisation is targeted for August 2026. The output will be a GIS-based map + vision document + detailed development strategy that sets the stage for infrastructure rollout.

Main roads, internal networks, and utilities will follow. CIDCO contractors are mobilizing for NAINA core villages first, with Pen and Khalapur slated for the next phase.

Six villages already have sanctioned development plans: Karnala-Tara, Barapada, Dighati, Sai, Kasarbhat, and Dolghar.

Infrastructure Drivers: Airport and Bridge

The New Town has potential to emerge as a logistics hub, data centre cluster, IT and ITes, Fintec, transit-oriented development and affordable housing, retail and entertainment destination. This is driven by the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project (MTHL), which will trigger development in and around the region where the MTHL lands in Navi Mumbai.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) has significantly reduced travel time between South Mumbai and Chirle, improving access to the proposed city. The bridge cuts Sewri to Chirle (Raigad) travel to 20 minutes.

The area is well connected by Navi Mumbai International Airport, suburban railway network, metro rail network, Multi-modal corridor, Mumbai–Goa highway, Mumbai-Pune expressway, and JNPT-based Dedicated Freight Corridor, with expected large-scale development of IT/ITeS, data hubs, Fintech, logistic parks, educational and health sectors.

Key Challenge: Landowner Confidence and Fair Return

Land acquisition and compensation continue to be the biggest hurdle. Industry representatives say transparency in plot allocation, infrastructure development and timelines will be crucial to gaining the confidence of landowners and investors.

While landowners in the NAINA project are entitled to receive 40 per cent of developed plots, the proposed Third Mumbai policy currently provides 22.5 per cent, making policy clarity an important concern. According to Prakash Baviskar, President of the Naina Builder Welfare Association, landowners should be treated as development partners rather than mere beneficiaries. He said, "If the Third Mumbai is to be built successfully, it is necessary to make the landowners not beneficiaries but partners in development. Trust, fair return and timely implementation are the three pillars of the success of this project."