CM Fadnavis Unveils Ambitious Third and Fourth Mumbai Development Plans
In a bold vision for Maharashtra's future, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced transformative urban development projects that will create two new Mumbais— the Third Mumbai near Navi Mumbai International Airport, and the Fourth Mumbai surrounding the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar district. These projects promise to reshape western India's economic and infrastructure landscape in the coming decades.
Third Mumbai Near Navi Mumbai Airport: Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town
The Third Mumbai project, officially called Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, spans 323.44 square kilometers covering 124 villages in Raigad district. The Maharashtra Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been entrusted with the project after taking over control from CIDCO. This mega-development aims to decongest existing Mumbai while creating a modern urban hub.
Using a controversial 60-40 land acquisition strategy, landowners surrender 60% of their land but receive 40% back as developed property with infrastructure. CIDCO has already issued tenders worth ₹6,414 crore for town planning schemes, signaling swift progress despite local resistance.
Strategic infrastructure includes the operational Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which shortens Navi Mumbai to South Mumbai travel from two hours to just 20 minutes, and the newly inaugurated ₹19,650 crore Navi Mumbai International Airport with a capacity for 90 million passengers annually.
Fourth Mumbai: India's First Offshore Airport Hub at Vadhavan Port
Even more groundbreaking is the Fourth Mumbai vision at Vadhavan Port, Palghar district, featuring India’s first offshore airport constructed on a reclaimed artificial island. With an estimated cost of ₹76,220 crore, construction could begin by 2026. The project aims to integrate multimodal connectivity, enhancing port and airport synergy.
This futuristic airport venture follows a pre-feasibility study by Grant Thornton UK in cooperation with Nippon Koei, a Japanese consultant, reinforcing its global-scale planning.
Fadnavis highlighted, “When we can reclaim land and build an offshore port at Vadhavan, why not build an offshore airport as well?” The Fourth Mumbai is poised to become a landmark in infrastructural innovation and maritime development.
Economic Impact and Strategic Vision
The developments are projected to expand Maharashtra’s GDP by at least 1% just through the Navi Mumbai Airport. The combined Vadhavan and JNPA ports are expected to generate one crore direct and indirect employment opportunities, cementing Maharashtra’s status as a maritime superpower.
After the Union Cabinet approved Vadhavan Port in June 2024 and Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation in August 2024, the port is set to be one of the world’s top 10 and Asia’s largest transshipment hubs.
Fadnavis’s vision aims to decentralize Mumbai’s dense urban core by creating new economic hubs that spur growth and infrastructure modernization, signaling an era of unprecedented development in Maharashtra.
As the Chief Minister declared during the airport inauguration, “Maharashtra will not stop now.” The state’s commitment to these mega-projects signals a future where Third and Fourth Mumbai will transform Maharashtra into a global economic and maritime powerhouse.