India, Oct. 24 -- As the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) moves ahead with plans to develop Third Mumbai, also known as the Karnala-Sai-Chirner (KSC) New Town, its biggest challenge is in acquiring 323.44 sq km of land amid mounting opposition from local residents.

Given the scale of the project, which will impact 124 villages across Uran, Panvel and Pen talukas of Raigad district, the authorities have opted to replicate existing and proven land acquisition models in the neighbourhood-Navi Mumbai-rather than devise a new one. These villages would be urbanised to become KSC New Town, officials said.

"Instead of drafting a new land acquisition framework, we plan to replicate or rather extend the successful policies...