Representative image

MUMBAI: The jurisdiction of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has been extended by 2,000 sq km.

The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of Mumbai Metropolitan Region's (MMR) boundary from 4,355 sq km to 6,355 sq km. The decision to extend the boundary was taken keeping in mind numerous infrastructure projects being executed in Palghar and Raigad districts, a press release stated. The jurisdiction has been extended to include Palghar taluka and parts of Vasai taluka.

In Raigad district, entire Alibaug, Pen, Panvel and Khalapur talukas will now be included in MMR region. Some parts of these talukas had previously been included in MMR.

Among major infrastructure projects being executed in this region are Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train, Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, Mumbai-Surat Expressway, Mumbai-Pune Expressway Special Planning Authority, Palghar Industrial Centre, Alibaug-Virar multi-modal corridor, Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link,Navi Mumbai international airport and various Metro projects. The government proposes to set up a business centre on the lines of Bandra-Kurla Complex in the vicinity of Boisar, Vasai and Virar, as also at Pen and along the Alibaug-Virar multi-modal corridor.

The extension of jurisdiction will enable MMRDA to invest in these areas, added the press release.

