1 week ago
Farmers Resist Third Mumbai Project Across 124 Raigad Villages
The Maharashtra government wants to build a large new city called Third Mumbai.
It would include 124 villages in Raigad district.
Many farmers in those villages do not want to give up their land.
They are worried about losing farms, homes and settlements.
They also say earlier projects caused problems for affected farmers.
The government has offered a land-pooling plan giving landowners 22.5% developed land, along with other options.
The farmers want their objections heard and stronger compensation protections used.
The MMRDA says it is following legal procedures and considering local communities.
Farmers from 124 Raigad villages oppose surrendering land for the proposed Third Mumbai project.
The planned KSC New Town would cover about 323 square kilometres across Uran, Panvel and Pen.
Farmers rejected the government’s 22.5% developed-land pooling model and requested stronger legal safeguards.
They want 25,000 objections and gram sabha resolutions heard before land acquisition or further MMRDA surveys.
The MMRDA says the project follows statutory procedures and aims to balance urban growth with village interests.
- Who
- Farmers from 124 Raigad villages, the Maharashtra government and the MMRDA are involved.
- What
- Farmers are opposing the proposed Third Mumbai megaproject, its land-pooling model and further surveys.
- Where
- The proposed project covers villages in Uran, Panvel and Pen in Raigad, Maharashtra.
- When
- The dispute includes a March 16, 2026 land policy, a June 7 village gathering and a meeting after a symbolic hunger strike on August 15.
- Why
- Farmers fear losing productive agricultural land, homes and settlements, and want their objections heard under stronger land-acquisition safeguards.
Farmers’ position
Government and MMRDA position
Land acquisition
Farmers’ position
Farmers say they will not surrender any land and oppose acquisition across the 124 villages.
Government and MMRDA position
The project framework allows acquisition through mutual consent or statutory provisions, while the MMRDA says implementation is following statutory procedures.
Land-pooling model
Farmers’ position
Farmers reject the 22.5% developed-land model, saying it does not adequately protect their interests.
Government and MMRDA position
The government’s March 16, 2026 policy provides 22.5% developed land, along with cash and FSI/TDR options.
Agriculture and local concerns
Farmers’ position
Farmers want more than 50 Pen villages linked to the Hetwane irrigation project excluded and question converting productive agricultural land to urban use.
Government and MMRDA position
The MMRDA says the project is intended to balance planned urban growth with existing villages and surrounding communities.
Key facts
- Project name
- KSC New Town, popularly called Third Mumbai
- Project area
- About 323 square kilometres
- Villages affected
- 124 villages across Uran, Panvel and Pen
- Proposed land model
- 22.5% developed land, with cash and FSI/TDR options also provided
- Farmer objections
- Farmers said 25,000 objections and gram sabha resolutions have not been heard
- Policy date
- March 16, 2026
- Requested legal framework
- The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
Quotes
Sudhakar Patil
President of the MMRDA KSC Navnagar (Third Mumbai) Virodhi Samiti
“We have seen the plight of farmers during land acquisition and land allotment for CIDCO, JNPT and the Navi Mumbai airport. We will not allow the same thing to happen in Third Mumbai. Not even an inch of land will be allowed to be acquired.”
freepressjournal.in
“The government has not heard the 25,000 objections or gram sabha resolutions opposing Third Mumbai. Proceeding without hearing them violates the farmers' right to natural justice. The hearings must be held first.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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