Farmers Oppose Third Mumbai Project Near MMR

The proposed Third Mumbai megaproject has hit a roadblock as farmers from 124 villages in Raigad have expressed strong opposition to the project. The farmers have conveyed their stand to the Maharashtra government, stating that they will not surrender any land for the project.

The farmers have also rejected the government's 22.5 per cent land-pooling model, arguing that it does not protect their interests. The proposed city, also known as KSC New Town, is planned across 124 villages in Uran, Panvel, and Pen, covering around 323 sq km.

The farmers' opposition is based on their experience with previous land acquisitions for projects involving CIDCO, JNPT, and Navi Mumbai airport. They fear that the new project could result in the loss of productive agricultural land and affect homes and settlements located outside existing gaothan boundaries.

The farmers have demanded that their 25,000 objections and gram sabha resolutions against the project be heard before any land acquisition or further surveys are allowed. A delegation of farmers met with senior officials from the state government and MMRDA to convey their stand.

The delegation was led by committee president Sudhakar Patil, who stated that the farmers will not allow the same mistakes to happen in Third Mumbai as they did in previous projects. The farmers have also questioned the rationale behind converting productive agricultural land for urban development, particularly in villages that fall under the Hetwane irrigation project.

Working president Santosh Thakur warned that the protest could intensify, pointing to the region's history of farmer-led land struggles. The dispute centers around the March 16, 2026 land policy, which provides for a 22.5 per cent developed-land model, along with options involving cash and FSI/TDR.

The proposed Third Mumbai project is planned as an economic hub linked to the Atal Setu, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). However, the project's fate now hangs in the balance as the farmers' opposition gains momentum.

The Maharashtra government will need to address the farmers' concerns and find a solution that balances the needs of the project with the interests of the farmers. The project's success depends on the government's ability to negotiate with the farmers and find a mutually acceptable solution.

In the meantime, the farmers remain resolute in their opposition to the project, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The Third Mumbai project is a significant undertaking, and its outcome will have far-reaching implications for the region's development and the lives of the people affected by it.