03 October,2026 12:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
MMRDA completes land use mapping for Mumbai 3.0 and Mumbai 4.0 in just 2.5 months (Pic/Special arrangement)
The three existing land use reports cover 2,008 sq km across 565 villages in Raigad and Palghar, laying the groundwork for master planning, affordable housing, employment opportunities, and sustainable urban development
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed three Existing Land Use (ELU) reports for Mumbai 3.0 and Mumbai 4.0 in a record two-and-a-half months, laying the foundation for future urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation across the metropolitan region.
As per the official statement from MMRDA, the reports cover KSC New Town, the Northern Extended Notified Area (ENA) in Palghar, and the Southern ENA in Raigad, including Alibag. Together, the three planning areas span approximately 2,008 square kilometers and 565 villages.
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Commissioner, MMRDA, handed over the reports to Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis during the launch of Invest Maharashtra on Saturday, October 3.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, ministers Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Ashish Shelar, Jaykumar Rawal, Sanjay Sawkare, and Uday Samant, along with other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
According to the MMRDA, the reports have been prepared using advanced geospatial technologies, including aerial LiDAR, high-resolution imagery, Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) ground control and Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping.
The exercise also involved cadastral records and field verification to map settlements, terrain, infrastructure, natural systems and existing land-use patterns.
The resulting database is expected to support evidence-based planning, helping authorities identify areas suitable for development while protecting environmentally sensitive zones.
The ELU report for KSC New Town covers approximately 324 sq km and 124 villages across Pen, Uran and Panvel talukas. MMRDA is the New Town Development Authority for the project, as per MMRDA.
The area is undergoing transformation into an emerging metropolitan growth centre, supported by major infrastructure projects such as Navi Mumbai International Airport, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Atal Setu, and the Virar-Alibaug Multi-Modal Corridor.
The report is expected to guide planned urban, logistics, commercial, and industrial development while maintaining a balance with agricultural land, environmental resources and climate resilience.
The Northern ENA report covers approximately 1,007 sq km and 224 villages in Palghar.
The region comprises extensive forests, river systems, fertile agricultural land, a 40-km coastline, mangroves, wetlands and tribal settlements, giving it a distinct ecological, agricultural and cultural identity.
With industrial, logistics and tourism activities gaining prominence, supported by MIDC Tarapur and road, rail and coastal connectivity, the report highlights the need to balance urban expansion with agricultural interests, tribal livelihoods, forest conservation, flood management, and coastal protection.
The Southern ENA report covers approximately 677 sq km and 217 villages, including Alibag.
The MMRDA intends to use the ELU database as the foundation for digital twins and scenario modelling to assess the impact of development decisions before major investments are made.
The officials from MMRD highlighted that by integrating transport, utilities, environmental, and other datasets, the proposed digital tools will help authorities evaluate how different development patterns could affect mobility, infrastructure demand, flood risks, and access to essential services.
The approach will also support coordinated planning of roads, public transport, walking and cycling networks and last-mile connectivity.
Future planning proposals will identify suitable locations for commercial districts, offices, industrial and logistics hubs, markets, e-commerce facilities and emerging digital infrastructure, including data centres and AI factories.
The MMRDA said, "Improved connectivity and phased infrastructure development could attract investment, generate employment and create opportunities for enterprises and skills development."
The planning framework will also focus on expanding access to serviced residential land and affordable housing near employment centres and public transport networks.
Tourism, heritage and local livelihoods will also form part of the development strategy.
Environmental conservation is a key component of the reports, with approximately 45 per cent of the combined study area falling under forest and green-area categories.
The MMRDA said that it would prioritise ecological protection and restoration in coordination with relevant authorities, particularly in areas containing mangroves, wetlands, rivers, water bodies and natural drainage systems.
Future development proposals will also incorporate parks, shaded streets, recreational spaces and connected green networks, alongside protected waterways and water bodies.
The authority plans to integrate physical, social and digital infrastructure with green and blue infrastructure, while promoting energy-efficient buildings, public transport, renewable energy and water-sensitive design to strengthen climate resilience.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the completion of the reports would provide a stronger foundation for planning Mumbai 3.0 and Mumbai 4.0.
"By bringing transport, employment, housing and environmental protection into one coordinated planning approach, we can spread opportunity across the metropolitan region. Our aim is to attract investment, create jobs and improve quality of life as MMR drives Maharashtra's progress towards a USD 1 trillion economy," Fadnavis said.
Deputy Chief Minister and MMRDA Chairman Eknath Shinde said the reports would help authorities plan connected growth centres with housing, employment, schools, healthcare facilities and public spaces.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said the ELU database would guide investments in housing, education, healthcare and essential services while taking local livelihoods and environmental requirements into account.
MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said, " Our goal is to create compact, connected centres where people can live closer to work, learning, healthcare and recreation, with greater access to open spaces and stronger climate resilience. This is the foundation for a more liveable MMR."
The next phase of the programme will focus on translating the ELU findings into coordinated planning proposals and phased infrastructure investments, guided by MMRDA's vision of "Mumbai in Minutes", "Rebooting Mumbai" and "Reshaping MMR".
