Maharashtra Govt Gives MMRDA Major Urban Planning Control Across Key Growth Corridors in Raigad & Thane

The Maharashtra government has significantly expanded the powers of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) by appointing it as the Special Planning Authority (SPA) for several rapidly developing growth clusters across Raigad and Thane districts. The move is being viewed as a major step toward accelerating planned urbanisation and infrastructure-led expansion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

The latest decision strengthens MMRDA’s role at the center of Maharashtra’s long-term urban growth strategy as the state government pushes large-scale development across emerging residential, industrial and investment corridors surrounding Mumbai. With rising urban expansion around Karjat, Neral, Alibaug and Bhiwandi, the government is now focusing on creating stronger centralized planning mechanisms to manage future infrastructure growth and economic activity in these regions.

MMRDA Appointed Special Planning Authority for Key Growth Clusters

The Urban Development Department issued two notifications on May 19 under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, officially appointing MMRDA as the Special Planning Authority for several important growth clusters.

The notified regions include areas in Karjat, Neral, Poynad and Alibaug in Raigad district, along with parts of Ambernath taluka in Thane district.

According to the notification, the objective behind the move is to ensure planned and controlled urban development in rapidly urbanising regions within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Officials believe centralized planning under MMRDA can help accelerate infrastructure development while maintaining long-term urban planning consistency across emerging growth zones.

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Karjat and Neral Emerging as Major Urban Expansion Corridors

One of the most significant parts of the notification relates to the Karjat surrounding notified area, which includes 28 revenue villages.

The Karjat-Neral belt has increasingly emerged as an important residential, tourism and infrastructure growth corridor due to improved connectivity and rising investment interest.

The state government now wants MMRDA to directly oversee planning and development activities in these areas to ensure organized urban expansion instead of fragmented development patterns.

Officials expect the move to support future housing projects, infrastructure upgrades and investment-driven growth across the region.

CIDCO’s Planning Role in Alibaug Withdrawn

In another major change, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn the City and Industrial Development Corporation’s (CIDCO) role as the Special Planning Authority for the Alibaug surrounding area.

Planning and development control in the region has now been officially transferred to MMRDA.

The notification further clarified that all existing planning authorities operating within the newly notified regions will cease functioning from the date of publication of the gazette notification.

The move effectively consolidates planning authority under MMRDA for several strategically important growth corridors connected to Mumbai’s future expansion plans.

MMRDA to Prepare Development Plans and Regulations

The state government has directed MMRDA to prepare detailed development plans and development control regulations for all the notified areas.

These plans will later be submitted to the Maharashtra government for approval.

Officials stated that the objective is to create infrastructure-led development models focused on transportation, housing, commercial growth and investment planning in the rapidly urbanising regions.

The government believes this framework can help avoid unregulated construction while supporting long-term economic and urban expansion.

Read More: MMRDA Lays Out Long-Term Vision for Transforming Mumbai Metropolitan Region

Kharbav Integrated Business Park Area Expanded

In a separate notification, the Maharashtra government also expanded the notified area of the Kharbav Integrated Business Park in the Bhiwandi-Kharbav belt and appointed MMRDA as the Special Planning Authority for the enlarged region.

The expanded notified zone now includes 34 additional villages and covers approximately 117 square kilometres.

The Kharbav Integrated Business Park project was first notified in September 2025 and is being developed as a major industrial and commercial hub within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Officials expect the expansion to further strengthen logistics, warehousing, industrial and commercial activity in the Bhiwandi-Kharbav corridor.

Maharashtra Strengthening MMRDA’s Role in Urban Expansion

The latest notifications indicate that the Maharashtra government is increasingly positioning MMRDA as the primary planning and infrastructure authority for future urban and economic growth zones across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

With emerging development corridors expanding beyond Mumbai’s traditional urban limits, centralized planning through MMRDA is expected to play a key role in managing infrastructure demand, industrial expansion and planned urbanisation in the coming years.

The move also aligns with Maharashtra’s broader vision of creating large-scale, infrastructure-driven economic zones connected to Mumbai through improved transport networks, industrial corridors and planned township development.