Raigad, 09 August (H.S.): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday questioned the state government’s approach to the proposed “Third Mumbai” development project, alleging that adequate information about the plans had not been made available to local residents.

Addressing a press conference in Raigad, Thackeray said people living in the region were unclear about the government’s plans for the proposed city and expressed concern over the possible acquisition of land belonging to local residents.

Thackeray alleged that the project could attract people from outside the region while putting local landowners at a disadvantage if their properties were acquired for development. He called for greater transparency and communication from the state government before major decisions affecting residents are taken.

“Third Mumbai”, officially planned as the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, is envisioned as a large-scale urban development project in Maharashtra’s coastal Raigad district. The proposed development covers roughly 323 to 334 square kilometres and includes around 124 villages.

The project is intended to ease pressure on Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region by creating a planned urban centre equipped with modern infrastructure and supporting regional economic activity.

Thackeray, however, argued that large infrastructure and urban development projects must take into account the interests of communities already living in the affected areas. He said local residents should be properly informed about land acquisition, rehabilitation and the potential economic and social impact of the project.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar