The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is advancing the construction of the Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor. To overcome forest clearance hurdles, the state revenue department has sanctioned the transfer of 30 hectares of government land in Chandigaon to the Forest Department. This corridor aims to create a direct link between Palghar and Raigad districts, reducing congestion in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and cutting travel times significantly.
The decision to expedite this project was made by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The state government has designated the multi-modal corridor as an “urgent public utility project.” Currently, a 80-kilometer highway section is under development between Navghar (Vasai, Palghar) and Chirner (Uran, Raigad). Since the proposed route passes through forest areas, MSRDC had to allocate alternative land to the Forest Department for compensatory afforestation to secure central clearance.
As part of this process, a 30-hectare portion has been allocated from a larger government land bank in Chandigaon. This land will be leased to MSRDC at a nominal rate of Rs 1 per square meter. The final approval from the government follows a feasibility report submitted by the Konkan Divisional Commissioner and the Palghar District Collector earlier this year. With this land transfer, a major regulatory obstacle hindering the project has been overcome.
The revenue department has imposed strict conditions on the land allotment. MSRDC is required to hand over the 30-hectare plot to the Forest Department within three months and utilize it solely for public purposes. Any failure to progress with the project will result in the land reverting to the state government without compensation. Additionally, MSRDC is prohibited from transferring, leasing, or mortgaging the land without explicit government consent.
