Mumbai: New biz hubs to be planned as different sectors

To attract investments to the upcoming business hubs, the Maharashtra government has decided to dedicate each area for a particular sector and improve connectivity by introducing proper modes of transport.

Kanjurmarg, Kalwa, Kalyan, Vasai-Virar and Bhiwandi are likely to be the next business hubs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

To attract investments to the upcoming business hubs, the Maharashtra government has decided to dedicate each area for a particular sector and improve connectivity by introducing proper modes of transport.

According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which will be the nodal agency carrying out the project, Bhiwandi will be developed as a logistics hub, with neighbouring T hane housing a l arge number of warehouses of consumer goods.

Kalyan will be made into a commercial hub with focus on manufacturing. The coastal Vasai-Virar area is proposed to be developed as a tourism zone.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has already decided to develop a 72-acre plot in Kalwa on the lines of the Bandra- Kurla Complex (BKC). The Kanjurmarg-Vikhroli belt has several IT industry-related offices.

These hubs will be developed as smart cities and will have features such as WiFi and smart parking similar to BKC.

Also, most of these hubs will be aligned along the Virar-Alibaug multimodal corridor and will be connected to major highways and the international airport in Navi Mumbai.

Apart from business, these hubs will also have residential complexes.

The MMRDA, however, has not fixed any deadline for development of these hubs.

“These areas will be developed as dedicated sectors and will be connected to the mainland with proper transport modes such as metro, highways, etc,” said UPS Madan, MMRDA commissioner.

“In addition, every building will have to construct commercial space on the ground floor for either retail shops or hotels,” he added.

Madan said a chief minister-led war room will interact with the Centre regularly to ensure speedy approvals from the environment, railways and defence ministries for the project.