The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is awaiting government approval for its ambitious plan to construct a third Mumbai under the New Town Development Authority (NTDA) beyond the Nhava-Shivadi Sea Link (MTHL) in Raigad district. The proposal involves acquiring land from 124 villages to develop it on the lines of CIDCO.

However, the proposal has encountered resistance from farmers and developers in the area, particularly in the Naina and Khopta Nave Shahar regions. The government intends to acquire land from 77 villages in the Naina area and 33 villages in Khopta Nave Shahar area, including those under the CIDCO special authority.

Farmers and developers in these areas are expressing concern and suspicion, fearing that the government's move to appoint MMRDA as NTDA could lead to unjust land acquisition for the benefit of a few. If MMRDA is designated as NTDA, landowners in the 124 villages would require permission from MMRDA to develop their land, restricting their autonomy.

In response to this, the farmers, landlords, and developers in the region are refusing to accept MMRDA as NTDA and are proposing to recognize it as a Special Planning Authority (SPA) instead. They argue that accepting MMRDA as SPA would allow for more balanced development without compromising the rights of landowners.

The potential conflict is reminiscent of the protests during the construction of the Navi Mumbai project by CIDCO, where project victims raised concerns over land acquisition and development plans.

The proposed area for the third Mumbai, extending beyond 324 sq. km, involves collaboration between MMRDA and CIDCO. While CIDCO has the special authority for certain villages, MMRDA's approval for the NTDA plan is still pending government approval.

The government will need to carefully consider whether to empower MMRDA as NTDA or SPA for the development of the third Mumbai, taking into account the concerns of farmers, developers, and other stakeholders in the region. The proposal's fate lies in the hands of the Urban Development Department, with the possibility of building the third Mumbai hinging on government approval.