India, Feb. 17 -- Opposition is intensifying in Raigad district after the Maharashtra cabinet on February 10 approved a 22.5% land pooling policy for the proposed Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, popularly referred to as "Third Mumbai".

The project spans nearly 323 sq.km and covers 124 villages in Uran, Panvel and Pen talukas. Farmer groups and village representatives fear the project could lead to large-scale displacement and disruption of agricultural and fishing livelihoods.

At a meeting on February 14, the MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) KSC Navnagar Virodhi Samiti in Raigad, resolved to oppose the policy and launch a phased agitation. The group has urged gram panchayats to pass resolutions against the ca...