NMMC Takes Over Planning from MMRDA

The Maharashtra state government has officially designated the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) as the new planning authority for 14 villages on the borders of Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Kalyan, replacing the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

This significant change, notified on 23 August, comes six months after these villages were merged with NMMC in a move expected to accelerate infrastructure development and improve basic services in the historically underserved regions. The reallocation of planning authority to NMMC addresses long-standing grievances from residents who have experienced minimal growth and inadequate civic amenities despite their proximity to developed urban centres. Previously, these villages were under NMMC’s jurisdiction until 2007 when a separation occurred following local unrest. However, continued underdevelopment prompted a renewed push for reintegration, which was initiated by a draft notification from the state government in September 2022 and formalised in March this year.

Before the latest government directive, NMMC faced bureaucratic hurdles in undertaking developmental projects due to MMRDA’s jurisdictional control over planning. NMMC’s appeal to assume planning authority was driven by the need for coherent development aligned with the broader progress of Navi Mumbai. Although the civic body had an existing development plan pending state approval for its previous areas, it will now be required to draft a new plan encompassing the recently integrated villages. For the interim period, NMMC will adhere to MMRDA’s approved plans, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) regional plan of June 2021, and the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations of December 2020. NMMC will also continue to execute ongoing projects approved by MMRDA in collaboration with the agency, thereby ensuring a smoother transition and continuity in developmental activities.

NMMC has estimated an initial investment of ₹6,100 crore for the comprehensive development of the 14 villages and is seeking financial support from the state government. According to the municipal commissioner, these estimates will be revised to reflect current conditions, while the civic body also tackles challenges such as illegal constructions and encroachments that have proliferated in the absence of robust governance. Community leaders, including the president of the Chauda Gaon Sarv Pakshiya Vikas Samiti, have welcomed the government’s decision, highlighting the urgent need for fundamental civic services such as health centres, sanitation, reliable water supply, functional roads, schools, and transport facilities. Additionally, there is a demand for improved connectivity to Navi Mumbai, which is currently hindered by geographical barriers.

One of the critical infrastructure proposals under consideration is the construction of a tunnel from Mahape to Dahisar village, which would directly link these villages to Navi Mumbai, further integrating them into the region’s development framework. This strategic shift in planning authority underscores the state’s commitment to bridging the developmental gaps in these villages, with NMMC at the helm expected to catalyse significant improvements in living standards and infrastructure in the coming years.