Villagers from 124 villages held a protest on Wednesday, March 27 at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) office in Konkan Bhavan at CBD Belapur. The protesting farmers vehemently oppose the state government's ambitious plan to develop a "Third Mumbai" around the Atal Setu Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL). Hundreds of villagers lodged their objections, accusing the government of attempting to render them landless for the benefit of capitalists.

The protest saw a significant turnout of villagers who raised their concerns and demands directly to the authorities. Village-by-village awareness meetings were organized, leading to the unanimous passing of resolutions by Gram Panchayats against the proposed scheme. These resolutions were then submitted to the government.

The state government's notification on March 4th declared its intention to transfer control of 124 villages surrounding the MTHL to the New Town Development Authority (NTDA), under the jurisdiction of the MMRDA. These villages span areas in Uran, Panvel, and Pen. The "Third Mumbai" project aims to incorporate 80 villages into the Navi Mumbai Airport Impact Notified Area, 33 into the Khopta New Town Notified Area, two into the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Plan, and nine villages into the Raigad Regional Plan. The government had solicited suggestions and objections within a 30-day period following the notification.

To challenge this proposal, local farmers, village leaders, politicians, and activists have united to form the MMRDA Opposition Farmers Committee, gearing up for a concerted battle against the project.

Representatives of the MMRDA Land Acquisition Farmers' Committee from Uran presented a petition against the MMRDA to the Konkan Bhavan Commissionerate CBD Belapur. Former MLA and Raigad Shiv Sena chief Manohar Bhoir, along with MMRDA Joint Director Jitendra Bhopale, were present during the petition submission. The gathering also included prominent figures such as taluka head Santosh Thakur, Sudhakar Patil, B.N. Daki, Kailas Mhatre, social workers Kushna Patil, M.G.P. Member Jeevan Gawand, and Taluka President of the Congress Party, Vinod Mhatre, among others.