Navi Mumbai: After Three Decades, Mumbai’s Satellite City Charts A Plan For Its Twenty-Year Development Roadmap

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has released its latest development plan (DP), the first in 33 years of its establishment, aimed to steer the city's growth and advancement for the next two decades.

The plan will focus on resolving current challenges and preparing for future expansion with key areas of focus including improved living standards, enhancing housing quality, and improving transportation infrastructure.

The formulation of the DP has been ongoing for several years, encountering multiple delays.

The COVID-19 pandemic and various administrative and technical challenges hindered its progress. The initial publication of the "Draft DP" occurred in 2022, inviting suggestions and objections, reports Mid-Day.

Following a review of numerous submissions from individuals and organisations within the city, the committee compiled a report on 16 February 2024. The DP has been forwarded to the state government for final approval.

The plan outlines key development areas, focusing on enhancing walkability, additional public spaces, pet cremation facilities, increased floor space index (FSI) for sports complexes, and broadening transportation modes.

The plan also aims to unlock development potential in private lands across Airoli, Digha, Ilathan, Borivali, Adivali, and Bhootvali by reserving plots for road networks and public facilities to boost overall development.

Spread over an area of 344 square kilometres, Navi Mumbai was developed as a planned city in the expanse of Mumbai, to decongest the mainland.

Over the past two decades, the city has undergone a significant transformation and has emerged as a key growth driver in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR).

The recent opening of the trans harbour link (MTHL), linking the satellite city to Mumbai within in just minutes, is also being seen as a major driver for future growth.

Additionally, with more such road and metro links and the Navi Mumbai airport underway, the region is primed for substantial growth and needs a development roadmap for regulated expansion.

Building on these advancements, coupled with features such as large land banks, easier land acquisition, proximity to the sea for cable landing and the ability to meet electricity needs — the city is also fast becoming the preferred destination for IT and data centres.