Will the Panvel Development Story be Different from that of Navi Mumbai?

Development in Panvel has been at record pace lately. Panvel, the city which is the gateway to the MMR – Mumbai Metropolitan Region, is set to become the new gateway to Maharashtra’s hinterland. This city has been a middle-class area, while other nodes of Navi Mumbai have been affluent. However, while the lack of government will to push for progress might hurt Navi Mumbai, it’s unlikely that such issues will plague Panvel’s development.

Panvel development

Panvel has recently attracted a lot of attention from private firms; most of them being infrastructure developers. It came into news when the government approved setting up Mumbai’s 2^nd international airport there. Renowned constructers like Hiranandani and others have also acquired land in the city. Since Panvel initially did not get the push from the government for development, land was not expensive. So they picked up land at reasonable rates, which will be worth its weight in gold soon.

Some recent examples of development in Panvel are:

• Approval of the international airport. This airport will handle approximately 2 million flyers each year and complement the Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport to handle international flyers in and from Mumbai.
• Elevated bridge across the city which has made the flow of traffic considerably easier.
• 6 lane road from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to NH 17 for smoother flow of traffic
• Land acquisition by HIRCO and other large infrastructure companies for setting up Townships in the city
• Recent grants by MMRDA and other governing bodies for Panvel and Kharghar development, concretization of roads and incentives for agriculture.

Young Indian politicians are taking charge and working hard towards progress and development. Activities like distribution of free notebooks for needy children and umbrellas for the aged people are also conducted regularly. Many hospitals have been constructed and more are on the way after CIDCO has approved them. Also, many engineering and medical colleges are springing up in the region which is further going to strengthen its infrastructure.

There was a time when Panvel was considered a village and no one wanted to consider the city. Now, however, Panvel could become bigger than Navi Mumbai and even ease the population crisis that Mumbai is currently facing. More 3 & 4 BHK flat projects are slated for Panvel than for Navi Mumbai and adjecant areas. Picturesque backdrops of hills and greenery around will complement the houses and localities in Panvel well. The transformation of what most people thought was a small city is stunning. The corporators and governing bodies of Panvel have done an amazing job.