Nearly 160 farmers have agreed to transfer 118 hectares for the Third Mumbai development, selecting developed land compensation. Opposition from local groups continues to grow in the Raigad area.
The consents cover a small portion of the planned 323.44 square kilometres project zone, of which 104 square kilometres is considered developable. Farmers largely chose the option of receiving 22.5 percent of their land back in developed form once the project advances.
The online consent process opened on 27 May and remains underway. MMRDA officials will later verify land records and issue acquisition notices, though villages themselves will not be acquired.
Rupesh Patil of the MMRDA KSC Navnagar Virodhi Samiti stated that the Koli-Agri community will not surrender any land, citing past unpaid compensations from earlier projects and the importance of farming for local livelihoods. Former Bombay High Court judge BG Kolse Patil has expressed support for the farmers' position.
