The Urban Development Department has extended the area of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to include parts of Palghar, Vasai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Ambernath, Karjat, Khalapaur, Pen and Alibaug. This will bring a population of 12 lakh under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
The Maharashtra legislature had passed the proposal to extend the limits of MMR to include nearly 2,000 sq km area in June 2019 when the BJP-led government was in power.
The UDD’s joint secretary SD Landge said the decision was taken by former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for unified development of multiple projects in a larger area, and will help use natural resources optimally.
The MMR comprises eight municipalities – Greater Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Bhiwandi-Nizamapur, Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar – and nine municipal councils, with more than 1,000 villages in Thane and Raigad districts.
According to the June 25 notification, the area up to the eastern limits of Palghar tehsil, Vasai tehsil up to Tansa river, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ambernath tehsils will now be part of MMR. The villages along the foothills of Sahyadri in Karjat tehsil – from Shelu to Kalamboli Tarf Waredi, Takwe, Banjarwadi, Sawale, Hedawali, Mandawane, Bhivpuri (camp), Humgaon, Saidongar, Dhak, Salpe, Kharwandi up to village Chochi – will also be included.
Reacting to the development, Niranjan Hiranandani, the national president of National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), said this will “augur well for synchronised growth of the region, with requisite infrastructure development to support the additional population that will move to homes in such locations”.
Rohit Poddar of Poddar Housing and Development Ltd, said, “It will definitely alter the scope of development in the newly included areas as FSI norms will make it more viable for development to take place.”
Gulam Zia, executive director of Valuation and Advisory Retail and Hospitality of international property consultants Knight Frank India sounded a note of caution. He said a lack of relevant improvement in Mass Rapid Transit Systems could leave this expansion futile.
