On Monday, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officially unveiled the name for Third Mumbai: Karnala-Sai-Chirner New Town (KSC New Town). 

Originally announced in 2013, Third Mumbai, also known as Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), is designed to manage haphazard growth around the forthcoming airport. Covering 323.44 sq km, this township is set to incorporate Smart City features.

The new town covers 324 sq km and comprises 124 villages, with 80 under Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), 33 under the Khopta New Town Notified Area, 2 under the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan, and 9 under the Raigad Regional Plan.

Recently, the government designated the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the “New Town Development Authority” (NTDA) for Third Mumbai. This area includes the Navi Mumbai end of the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). 

As per the recent government resolution, MMRDA will prepare detailed planning proposals and development regulations for the notified area. The authority has also been granted land acquisition powers and must allocate budget provisions for this process.

MMRDA envisions a sustainable, greenfield business hub with smart city amenities, mixed-use spaces, and integrated residential areas to boost job creation and economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

MMRDA plans to adopt the CIDCO funding model, offering developed land as compensation instead of direct monetary payments.