The proposed ‘Third Mumbai’ project surrounding the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) has encountered fierce opposition, with more than 5,000 objections filed against the state government’s ambitious endeavor. Spanning across a vast expanse of 323 square kilometers and encompassing 124 villages within the Panvel, Uran, and Pen talukas, the project has sparked a contentious debate over its potential ramifications and perceived lack of local benefits. The objections, predominantly emanating from Uran and Panvel talukas, represent a unified stance against the proposed development, with further dissent expected from Pen taluka in the near future. This surge of opposition marks the fifth instance since 2003 wherein locals have vehemently contested government plans, citing persistent alterations in planning frameworks and administrative oversight.
Central to the villagers’ discontent is the perceived absence of adequate compensation mechanisms under the Land Acquisition Act of 2014, raising concerns regarding the equitable distribution of benefits and burdens associated with the project. The notification issued on March 4 this year, delineating the project’s scope, encompasses 29 villages under Uran tehsil, seven villages under Panvel, and 88 villages under Pen tehsil, underscoring the far-reaching implications of the proposed development. Further scrutiny of the notification reveals the inclusion of 80 villages falling within the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), 33 villages within the Khopta New Town Notified Area, two villages governed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Plan, and nine villages under the Raigad Regional Plan. This expansive coverage underscores the comprehensive nature of the project’s ambit, raising pertinent questions regarding its socio-economic and environmental impact.
In response to the government’s proposals, villagers have coalesced under the banner of the ‘MMRDA Virodhi Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti’ to mount a concerted opposition campaign. Intensified advocacy efforts have been launched across the affected talukas, symbolizing a grassroots mobilization against perceived encroachments on local autonomy and livelihoods.
As deliberations continue, the burgeoning resistance against the ‘Third Mumbai’ project underscores the complexities inherent in balancing developmental imperatives with community concerns. The outcome of this protracted dispute will inevitably shape the trajectory of urban planning initiatives in the region, emphasizing the critical importance of stakeholder engagement and participatory decision-making processes in fostering sustainable development.
