CM reiterates plan for 2 new growth centres, devpt along bullet train corridor

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Friday reiterated its plan to develop new urban growth centres — Mumbai 3.0 and Mumbai 4.0 — as part of a long-term strategy to expand the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and ease pressure on the existing city. Referring to the proposal in his 2026-27 budget speech, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government will push ahead with the development of Mumbai 3.0 in the region around the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The proposed urban cluster spread across 324 sq km in Raigad district is expected to come up in areas such as Karnala, Sai and Chirner in Raigad district, where integrated townships, logistics parks and commercial districts are planned, taking advantage of improved connectivity through projects like the Atal Setu and the new airport. Fadnavis also reiterated the plan to develop Mumbai 4.0 in Palghar district, which is emerging as an important growth corridor due to the proposed Vadhvan port, and improve road and rail infrastructure. The government expects large-scale industrial, residential and commercial development in the region, helping to create new economic hubs beyond Mumbai and its immediate suburbs. In addition, the state will promote development along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, particularly around stations at Virar, Boisar and Thane. The government plans to encourage transit-oriented development (TOD) in these areas, with business districts, residential clusters and supporting infrastructure coming up around the high-speed rail stations.Officials said the strategy aims to create multiple growth nodes across the wider Mumbai region while improving connectivity and supporting Maharashtra's long-term economic expansion.