In a dramatic turn of events, villagers residing in 124 villages surrounding the Atal Setu Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL) have vehemently opposed the Maharashtra state government’s ambitious proposal for a ‘Third Mumbai’ development project.
Accusing the government of orchestrating a land grab to serve capitalist interests, the villagers have initiated widespread protests and are mobilising against the proposed development. At the heart of the controversy lies the state government’s decision, announced on March 4, to designate 124 villages in the Uran, Panvel, and Pen areas for development under the purview of the New Town Development Authority (NTDA), led by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This move, aimed at establishing the groundwork for the envisioned ‘Third Mumbai’, has sparked outrage among local residents who fear the loss of their ancestral lands and livelihoods.
Under the proposed plan, the ‘Third Mumbai’ initiative seeks to incorporate 80 villages into the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area, 33 villages from the Khopta New Town Notified Area, two villages from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Plan, and nine villages from the Raigad Regional Plan. In response to the government’s notifications, villagers, farmers, political leaders, and activists have united under the banner of the ‘MMRDA Virodhi Shetkari Samiti, Raigad’ to challenge the project. Conducting widespread awareness campaigns and holding meetings across affected villages, the coalition aims to empower residents to voice their objections to the government’s plans and rally gram panchayats to pass resolutions against land acquisition. With tensions escalating and dissent mounting, the standoff between villagers and authorities underscores the complex dynamics at play in balancing developmental aspirations with community interests and environmental concerns. As the deadline for submitting objections approaches, the fate of the ‘Third Mumbai’ project hangs in the balance, amidst fervent resistance from affected villagers determined to protect their land rights and way of life.
