MMRDA completes Mumbai 3.0 and Mumbai 4.0 land use reports in 2.5 months

The three existing land use reports cover 2008 sq km across 565 villages in Raigad and Palghar laying the groundwork for master planning affordable housing employment opportunities and sustainable urban developmentThe Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDA has completed three Existing Land Use ELU reports for Mumbai 30 and Mumbai 40 in a record twoandahalf months laying the foundation for future urban planning infrastructure development and environmental conservation across the metropolitan regionAs 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 2008 square kilometers and 565 villagesDr Sanjay Mukherjee Commissioner MMRDA handed over the reports to Maharashtra Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis during the launch of Invest Maharashtra on Saturday October 3Deputy 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 occasionAdvanced mapping to guide future developmentAccording to the MMRDA the reports have been prepared using advanced geospatial technologies including aerial LiDAR highresolution imagery Differential Global Positioning System DGPS ground control and Geographic Information System GIS mappingThe exercise also involved cadastral records and field verification to map settlements terrain infrastructure natural systems and existing landuse patternsThe resulting database is expected to support evidencebased planning helping authorities identify areas suitable for development while protecting environmentally sensitive zonesKSC New Town 124 villages across 324 sq kmThe 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 MMRDAThe 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 VirarAlibaug MultiModal CorridorThe report is expected to guide planned urban logistics commercial and industrial development while maintaining a balance with agricultural land environmental resources and climate resilienceMumbai 40 Palghars 1007 sq km mappedThe Northern ENA report covers approximately 1007 sq km and 224 villages in PalgharThe region comprises extensive forests river systems fertile agricultural land a 40km coastline mangroves wetlands and tribal settlements giving it a distinct ecological agricultural and cultural identityWith 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 protectionSouthern ENA Alibag development plansThe Southern ENA report covers approximately 677 sq km and 217 villages including AlibagThe 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 madeThe 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 servicesThe approach will also support coordinated planning of roads public transport walking and cycling networks and lastmile connectivityFocus on jobs investment and affordable housingFuture planning proposals will identify suitable locations for commercial districts offices industrial and logistics hubs markets ecommerce facilities and emerging digital infrastructure including data centres and AI factoriesThe MMRDA said ldquoImproved connectivity and phased infrastructure development could attract investment generate employment and create opportunities for enterprises and skills developmentrdquoThe planning framework will also focus on expanding access to serviced residential land and affordable housing near employment centres and public transport networksTourism heritage and local livelihoods will also form part of the development strategyEnvironmental conservationEnvironmental conservation is a key component of the reports with approximately 45 per cent of the combined study area falling under forest and greenarea categoriesThe 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 systemsFuture development proposals will also incorporate parks shaded streets recreational spaces and connected green networks alongside protected waterways and water bodiesThe authority plans to integrate physical social and digital infrastructure with green and blue infrastructure while promoting energyefficient buildings public transport renewable energy and watersensitive design to strengthen climate resilienceCM Fadnavis on Mumbai 30 and Mumbai 40Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the completion of the reports would provide a stronger foundation for planning Mumbai 30 and Mumbai 40By 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 Maharashtras progress towards a USD 1 trillion economy Fadnavis saidDeputy 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 spacesDeputy CM Sunetra Ajit Pawar highlights the importance of ELU databaseDeputy 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 accountMMRDA 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 MMRThe next phase of the programme will focus on translating the ELU findings into coordinated planning proposals and phased infrastructure investments guided by MMRDAs vision of Mumbai in Minutes Rebooting Mumbai and Reshaping MMR