Mumbai: Govt-owned land totalling 33,954.61 hectares across Thane, Raigad and Palghar will be transferred to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.A govt resolution (GR) issued by the state urban development department on March 25, 2026, grants the planning body Class-1 ownership of these lands across 1,324 villages in these three districts.This move follows a cabinet decision to strengthen regional authorities by providing them with land to build facilities and raise necessary capital. While the land is being transferred free of cost, the state has mandated a profit-sharing model where MMRDA is required to deposit 25% of the income generated from the development of these lands back into the state treasury.Raigad district holds the largest share of this transfer, with 12,817.59 hectares covering Alibaug, Panvel, Pen, Uran, Karjat and Khalapur. Palghar district includes 11,177.17 hectares located primarily in Palghar and Vasai tehsils, while Thane district accounts for 9,960.32 hectares across areas, including Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Ambarnath and Thane.To speed up project timelines, the state has removed the requirement for MMRDA to seek no objection certificates from district collectors or state departments before starting work. MMRDA has also been given the authority to dispose of these lands according to its own established land disposal rules.The handover includes specific responsibilities to ensure the land is managed correctly, starting with the District Collectors ensuring the land is free of illegal occupants before the transfer. Once handed over, MMRDA is responsible for protecting the land from future encroachments.For lands classified as grazing, temple-owned or forest areas, MMRDA must follow specific Supreme Court and High Court rulings. If the land is currently under the control of Gram Panchayats or Zilla Parishads, MMRDA must obtain a formal resolution or permission from the local body before beginning development.Furthermore, any future court-ordered compensation related to past land acquisitions for these parcels must be paid by MMRDA. The revenue department will hand over the plots in phases based on MMRDA’s actual project requirements rather than transferring the entire bank at once.
