Mumbai 3.0 is the term coined for the futuristic development of the region beyond Panvel in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The Maharashtra government has granted the go-ahead to build a new city called “Third Mumbai” in this area, which will have infrastructure, knowledge-based industries, research centers, and smart city features. The aim is to create a sustainable, livable, and affordable urban hub that will ease the pressure on the existing Mumbai infrastructure and resources.
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, has been facing the challenges of rapid urbanization, population explosion, congestion, pollution, and housing shortage. The existing satellite city of Navi Mumbai, which was developed in the 1970s, is also reaching its saturation point.
Therefore, the government has decided to explore the potential of the peripheral cities of Mumbai, such as Neral-Karjat, Ulwe, Taloja, and NAINA (Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area). These areas have vast tracts of land available for development, and are strategically located between the two IT hubs of Mumbai and Pune. They also have the advantage of being close to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, the Mumbai-Trans Harbour Link, the Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor, and other mega infrastructure projects.
The government has planned to develop Mumbai 3.0 in a phased manner, with the involvement of various stakeholders, such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), and the private sector.
The government has also received a representation to develop the Panvel-Bhimashankar highway and convert it into a multimodal corridor. The four lanes of Kalyan Badlapur railway network would be extended to Karjat station to facilitate more local services to the growing population. The government has also proposed to establish location-centric magnets, such as pharma R&D centers, educational universities, government offices, sports arenas, and financial centers, to attract economic activities and employment opportunities.
The new city will be based on a smart city model, where new-age technology and sustainability will be embedded in the planning and design layouts. The new city will also offer a well-balanced lifestyle, with open spaces, green surroundings, and wellness retreat corners.
The government has not announced a specific timeline for the completion of Mumbai 3.0, but has indicated that many of the infrastructure projects will be completed by the year 2023. The development of Mumbai 3.0 is expected to boost the real estate market in the region, as well as the overall economic growth of the state and the country. Mumbai 3.0 is envisioned to be the next growth harbingers of the MMR, and a new livewire center of Navi Mumbai. Mumbai 3.0 is the future of Mumbai.
