Third Mumbai master plan: MMRDA ties up with Singapore's Surbana Jurong
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has signed an agreement with Singapore's Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Ltd. to prepare the Master Plan for the proposed Third Mumbai, also known as Mumbai 3.0. The planning exercise is expected to be completed within 30 weeks. In a related development, the Raigad-Pen Growth Centre Limited (RPGCL) has signed an agreement with Singapore-based Mapletree to develop a 100-acre mixed-use project.
According to the MMRDA, the agreement with Surbana Jurong covers an Inception Plan, Existing Situation Analysis, Vision Plan, Draft Concept Land Use Plan, stakeholder consultations, and a Final Concept Plan. The exercise will examine existing land use, road and mobility networks, demographics, socio-economic conditions, utilities, environmental features, and public amenities before developing a long-term spatial and economic framework for the new city.
Mapletree is expected to bring in more than $1.1 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the Raigad-Pen Growth Centre. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the partnership as "path-breaking," stating that it will accelerate the development of Third Mumbai. He added that the next phase of India's growth will come from such new urban centres, noting that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has the potential to become a $1.5 trillion economy, a recognition also given by NITI Aayog.
The Third Mumbai project spans approximately 323.44 sq. km and covers 124 villages across Panvel, Uran, and Pen talukas of Raigad district. The area was notified on October 15, 2024, under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966, with the MMRDA designated as the New Town Development Authority (NTDA). The project is located within the influence area of the Atal Setu and in proximity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
The agreement was signed by MMRDA Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee and Avinash Mishra, Chief Executive, South Asia, Surbana Jurong, in the presence of Chief Minister Fadnavis. The initial memorandum of understanding for the project was initiated during the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026. On June 4, the state government approved the appointment of Surbana Jurong on a Government-to-Government (G2G) basis.
The 30-week planning timeline is divided into specific phases. The first four weeks will be devoted to preparing the Inception Report. By the 10th week, an Existing Situation Report will be ready. The Vision Document will be prepared from the 16th week onward. A Draft Concept Land Use Plan is expected by the 24th week, followed by a Stakeholder Interaction Report from the 26th week. The Final Concept Plan will be completed in the last four weeks.
The Draft Concept Plan will integrate three critical components: a Concept Structure Plan defining broad land-use patterns, a Concept Mobility Plan addressing regional and intra-city connectivity, and a Concept Infrastructure Plan covering water supply and sewerage. According to the MMRDA, the Vision Document will define Mumbai 3.0's economic positioning, growth strategy, investment themes, catalytic projects, and place-making principles, with the objective of developing the new town as a globally competitive, sustainable, and economically vibrant urban centre.
However, the project has drawn criticism from residents of Panvel, Uran, and Pen talukas whose land is likely to be acquired. They have expressed concerns over compensation and have demanded that they retain ownership of the land while allowing development to proceed.
Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee said, "We have brought global planning expertise through Surbana Jurong to translate this vision into a well-connected, sustainable and investment-ready city."
