Development Status
Six KSC New Town Villages Get Sanctioned Development Plans
As of early 2026, six villages in Panvel taluka have sanctioned development plans: Karnala (Tara), Barapada, Dighati, Sai, Kasarbhat, and Dolghar, with approved land use, zoning, and layout. Drone-based mapping and LiDAR surveys are ongoing across all 124 villages, with implementation of main roads, internal networks, and utilities set to begin in 2026-27.
| Villages with sanctioned plans | Six villages: Karnala-Tara, Barapada, Dighati, Sai, Kasarbhat, Dolghar |
|---|---|
| Total notified area (KSC New Town) | 124 villages across 323.44 sq.km in Uran, Panvel, and Pen Tehsil, Raigad District |
| Surveying method | Drone-based mapping and LiDAR surveys complete |
| Master plan target date | August 2026 |
| MMRDA 2026-27 KSC allocation | ₹4,000 crore allocated specifically for KSC New Town |
| Betterment charge reduction | CIDCO cut NAINA betterment charge from 50% → 0.05% — a 99.9% reduction |
| Infrastructure tenders cleared | ₹6,000+ crore in CIDCO infrastructure tenders cleared — first in twelve years |
| Plot layout clearance timeline | Maharashtra cabinet approved single-window clearance system; 18-24 months reduced to 90-120 days |
The Development Status: What Became Official
Six villages in Panvel taluka—Karnala (Tara), Barapada, Dighati, Sai, Kasarbhat, and Dolghar—now have sanctioned development plans as of early 2026. These villages now have approved land use, zoning, and layout, and plot transactions inside them carry a level of certainty that did not exist 18 months ago.
The development plan of these 6 villages of Panvel Taluka has already been sanctioned, marking them as the first within the broader 124-village notified area appointed to MMRDA as New Town Development Authority in October 2024.
The Authority Behind the Decision: MMRDA and CIDCO
The Government of Maharashtra, by notification dated 15th October 2024, appointed MMRDA as New Town Development Authority (NTDA) for 124 villages in Uran, Panvel and Pen Tehsil in Raigad District. Within this broader framework, CIDCO sanctioned development plans for the six villages in Panvel taluka.
This represents a shift from earlier planning arrangements: Government of Maharashtra vide Government Resolution dated 16/03/2026 approved the Land Acquisition and land Allocation policy for New Town Development Authority and future projects implemented by MMRDA.
Surveying Underway: Drone and LiDAR Technology
Drone-based mapping and LiDAR surveys are ongoing across the 124 villages. The drone-based mapping and LiDAR surveys are complete in their initial phase, feeding into the comprehensive planning process.
The MMRDA—appointed as the New Town Development Authority for the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town inside the broader NAINA region—is on track to finalize the comprehensive master plan by August 2026. Implementation of main roads, internal networks, and utilities begins in 2026-27.
What Changes: Clearer Titles and Faster Approvals
Plot transactions in these six villages carry the cleanest title and zoning certainty currently available. In early 2026, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a single-window clearance system for plot layout sanctions inside NAINA sectors; what used to take 18-24 months of bureaucratic hopping can now move in 90-120 days.
Stamp duty in NAINA has been held at 5%—a percentage point below Mumbai's 6%; for a ₹50 lakh plot, that is ₹50,000 saved at the registration counter. CIDCO cut NAINA betterment charge from 50% → 0.05% — a 99.9% reduction.
Next Steps: Master Plan Finalisation and Infrastructure Rollout
Master plan finalises Aug 2026. ₹4,000 crore allocated in MMRDA's 2026-27 budget specifically for KSC New Town, with total infra outlay ₹48,072.5 crore—87% to infrastructure works.
The KSC New Town master plan finalizes August 2026 and main infrastructure builds in 2026-27; realistic livability for the average end-user buyer is 2028-2030. Meanwhile, the six villages with sanctioned plans benefit from single-window plot layout clearance approved by cabinet.
The Broader Context: 124 Villages Notified
Government of Maharashtra notified 124 villages in Uran, Panvel and Pen Tehsil as 'K. S. C. New Town' comprising 323.44 sq.km. MMRDA was appointed as New Town Development Authority—the single most important policy decision in MMR's southern region in a decade.
Karnala is known for the Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Karnala Fort; Sai is located in the Western Ghats and renowned for its natural beauty; and Chirner is strategically situated near Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), one of India's largest container ports.
Development phases
Land use
Frequently asked questions
Which villages have sanctioned development plans in KSC New Town?
Six villages in Panvel taluka have sanctioned development plans: Karnala (Tara), Barapada, Dighati, Sai, Kasarbhat, and Dolghar. Plot transactions in these villages carry the cleanest title and zoning certainty currently available.
When will the KSC New Town master plan be ready?
Master plan finalises Aug 2026. Drone-based mapping and LiDAR surveys are ongoing across the 124 villages, with implementation of main roads, internal networks, and utilities beginning in 2026-27.
How much has MMRDA allocated for KSC development?
₹4,000 crore allocated in MMRDA's 2026-27 budget specifically for KSC New Town. Total infra outlay ₹48,072.5 crore — 87% to infrastructure works.
What is the betterment charge reduction for NAINA plots?
CIDCO cut NAINA betterment charge from 50% → 0.05% — a 99.9% reduction. The cut effectively removes the financial penalty for participating in CIDCO's planning scheme; many farmers who had refused to engage with NAINA for a decade are now actively converting holdings into developed plots.
How fast can plot layouts now be approved?
In early 2026, the Maharashtra cabinet approved a single-window clearance system for plot layout sanctions inside NAINA sectors; what used to take 18-24 months can now move in 90-120 days.
What is the realistic timeline for livability in KSC New Town?
The six villages with approved development plans plus their surrounds are buildable now—though social infrastructure (schools, hospitals, daily retail) is still 2-4 years out; the KSC New Town master plan finalizes August 2026 and main infrastructure builds in 2026-27.
Sources
- Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) - NTDA Overview
- Revaa Homes - Mumbai 3.0 Complete Guide: KSC New Town Area-by-Area
- Revaa Homes - NAINA Betterment Charge 2026: 50% to 0.05% Cut Explained
- CIDCO Maharashtra - KSC New Town Development Plans
- Crescera Group - Third Mumbai KSC New Town: 124 Village MMRDA Acquisition
- PuneNow - Third Mumbai Project: Inside Maharashtra's Blueprint for Mumbai 3.0
- Thane Real Estate News - Mumbai 3.0: What's Real, What's Hype, and What's Ahead
- The Print - Third Mumbai a step closer to reality: Maharashtra clears land policy