Mafia to Metropolitan City : Mumbai

 Mumbai is buzzing with big plans. NITI Aayog, the government’s think tank, has laid out a bold vision for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The plan? To transform the region into an economic

powerhouse, with thriving business districts, tourism hubs, and affordable housing for millions.

Imagine a city where slums no longer exist. That’s one of the goals of this master plan. In a city like Mumbai, where almost half the population lives in slums, this is a big deal. NITI Aayog wants to rehabilitate 2.2 million slum homes, some of which are on land owned by the railways, ports, and defense agencies. The think tank believes that this land, which is financially attractive, could be redeveloped for better use, turning these slum areas into modern, affordable housing complexes.

The affordable housing model is inspired by Singapore’s public housing system. The plan proposes homes with a rent of less than ₹15,000 for a 400-square-foot property, ensuring that even low-income families can have access to decent living spaces. For the slum areas that aren’t as financially attractive, the government will need to step in with viability gap funding worth ₹20,000 crore.

But the plan doesn’t stop at housing. It envisions seven new business districts across MMR, including Bandra Kurla Complex, Wadala, and Kharghar. These will be similar to London’s Canary Wharf or Shanghai’s Bund, designed to attract talent from across the country and beyond. The hope is that these districts will become hubs for financial services, media, healthcare, education, and fintech industries, turning MMR into a global business destination.

Tourism, too, plays a big role in NITI Aayog’s vision. With Mumbai’s coastal location and rich cultural heritage, the region has the potential to bring in billions through tourism. The plan includes promoting beaches, coastal tourism, cruises, and even building a 40-million-litre capacity oceanarium and an adventure park south of Navi Mumbai. The plan also includes a world-class Film City with a “Bollywood Broadway” that could attract movie lovers from around the world.

Alongside this, the master plan outlines the need for more infrastructure to support the growing population. It calls for 150-175 million square feet of additional office space, 12,000-15,000 new hotel rooms, 25-30 new colleges, and 15,000 more hospital beds. The goal is to create a city that not only accommodates its residents but also offers world-class facilities and opportunities for everyone.

One of the most exciting parts of the plan is how it proposes using the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) land. This land will be developed for housing, tourism, and recreational activities, turning what is currently underutilized space into a vibrant hub for the city’s residents and visitors.

To make all of this a reality, NITI Aayog has called for the central government’s intervention in several key areas, including the redevelopment of slum households on central land and height clearance approvals near airports. They’ve also recommended that major projects like the Vadhavan port and the suburban rail corridors be included in the prime minister’s Pragati review system to ensure timely progress.

This master plan represents a vision for a new Mumbai—a city where slums give way to affordable housing, where businesses thrive, and where tourism brings in billions. If all goes according to plan, MMR could become a shining example of urban development, setting the stage for economic growth and opportunity for decades to come.