Third Mumbai: Maharashtra Cabinet clears land policy for development near Atal Setu
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday cleared a land acquisition and allotment policy to facilitate development projects for ‘Third Mumbai’, the proposed urban growth zone near the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), also known as Atal Setu.
Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that 200 square kilometres of land have been transferred to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) for planned development of the area.
An official statement said the policy would apply to regions under the newly constituted New Town Development Authority, as well as future projects to be undertaken by the MMRDA. The move is aimed at ensuring structured development in the MTHL impact zone and is expected to streamline land acquisition and distribution, helping speed up infrastructure and urban development works.
The Atal Setu, which links Sewri in Mumbai with Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, is seen as a critical infrastructure project that will help ease congestion in Mumbai and promote balanced regional development.
The Cabinet also approved a long-term loan of Rs 15,000 crore from NABARD for completing water resources projects, which are expected to benefit around eight lakh hectares of agricultural land across the state.
In another decision, 12.76 hectares of government land at Vikaswadi in Karveer taluka of Kolhapur district have been earmarked for the construction of an international-standard cricket stadium.
To accelerate the Purandar airport project in Pune district, the Cabinet cleared the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and sanctioned a loan of Rs 6,000 crore for land acquisition and related works. The loan will be repaid by state agencies, including MIDC, MADC and CIDCO, based on their respective shareholding, with the state government providing approval and guarantee.
Fadnavis said, “96 per cent of the farmers have given their consent for the project.”
The Cabinet also approved the launch of the ‘Majha Gaav, Arogya Sampanna Gaav’ (My Village, Healthy Village) campaign to strengthen village-level healthcare. The initiative will run from April 1 to March 31, 2027, with an annual outlay of Rs 80.75 crore. Under the programme, awards ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 2 crore will be given to gram panchayats up to the district council level.
In addition, the Cabinet sanctioned the transfer of 1,000 acres of land at Ratnapuri Mala in Indapur taluka of Pune district to MIDC for the development of a new industrial estate.
In Mumbai, it approved a joint development plan on MHADA land at Kolekalyan in Andheri to create tennis infrastructure through the MahaTennis Foundation.
The Cabinet also cleared the Maharashtra Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy 2026, under which projects costing more than Rs 25 crore will be vetted by the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee headed by the Chief Minister.
Amendments to the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, allowing legal notices to be served via email, were also approved. To enhance administrative efficiency amid population growth and expanded jurisdictions, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of 11 new posts of additional district collectors.
Further, 117.19 hectares of land at Mouza Linga in Kalmeshwar taluka of Nagpur district were allocated to MIDC for a coal-to-chemical project.
The Cabinet also approved a budget of Rs 75.13 crore for developing sports infrastructure at Katphal under the Baramati District Sports Complex, including facilities such as a pavilion, swimming pool, skating rink, archery range and basketball court.
It also gave its nod to an ordinance aimed at settling pending tax, interest, penalty and late fee dues, along with amendments to laws governing public universities and private unaided professional educational institutions, the statement added.
PTI