Mumbai: Land acquisition for growth centre in Kalyan to start next year

The acquisition of land to establish the first growth centre in Kalyan is likely to commence from next year. The centre will have more institutional and commercial units as compared to residential zones.

UPS Madan, Commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), said, "Around 1,000 hectares of land will be acquired for the centre. The plan is ready and we will implement it soon." The development authority officials intend to start the land acquisition under the Town Planning Scheme, instead of waiting for the Land Acquisition Bill to be approved by the parliament.

Giving details about the centre, an MMRDA official said, "It will comprise institutional set-ups, research centres, education and commercial complexes, and so on. This would promote more business activities and generate employment opportunities."

There will also be some residential colonies, but they will occupy less than half of the earmarked area. As per the plan, the ratio of residential to other set-ups would be in the range of 30:70 or 40:60.

After the MMRDA made its plan to establish a growth centre in MMR public, the real estate prices in the area have been going up constantly, despite a slowdown in other areas.

Once Kalyan is developed, more such centres would follow in Panvel, Vasai-Virar, Bhiwandi and Pen-Alibaug. These would be adjoining the proposed Multi-Modal Corridor planned between Virar and Alibaug.