Mumbai’s Ambitious MTHL Project Spurs Major Development: MMRDA Takes the Helm
Mumbai, 5th March 2024: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is set to embark on the development of 124 villages spanning approximately 323.44 square kilometres to enhance the economic viability of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) project. As per a notification from the state’s Urban Development Department (UDD), the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) will no longer serve as the special planning authority for the designated area. Instead, the area will be designated as the New Town Development Authority, with the MMRDA assuming the role of the development authority.
The state’s notification underscores the intention to create a thriving third Mumbai, distinct from the existing 603 square kilometres of Mumbai and 344 square kilometres of Navi Mumbai. Notably, the decision aims at bolstering the economic viability of the Rs 18,000-crore Atal Setu MTHL project, emphasizing the need to capture the land value enhancement of the MTHL landing and its influence area.
The notification highlights the MMRDA’s substantial investment in the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link, emphasizing its potential positive impact on the region’s economic development. It states, “…to make the MTHL project economically viable by capturing the land value enhancement of MTHL landing and influence area, the ‘said authority’ (i.e., MMRDA) vide letter dated 28/08/2023 has requested the government to appoint the MMRDA as the new town development authority (NTDA) for MTHL influence area consisting of a total of 124 villages, comprising approximately 323.44 square kilometres.”
Among these villages, approximately 80 fall within the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area, 33 in the Khopta New Town Notified Area, two from the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan, and nine from the Raigad Regional Plan. The move sets the stage for the development of a strategically important region, aligning with the broader goal of making the MTHL project economically robust through comprehensive urban planning and development.
