The Vision and Reality of Navi Mumbai By Arundhati Nagargoje

 

The Vision and Reality of Navi Mumbai

“From a Counter Magnet to a Connected Urban Hub”-Arundhati N

Urban development in post-independence India witnessed the formation of new settlements that progressed swiftly with government support, often outpacing their parent cities. Against this backdrop, the 1965 article by Charles Correa, Pravin Mehta, and Shirish Patel in MARG magazine proposed a bold and visionary idea: not to curb the growth of Mumbai, but to expand it onto the mainland. This expansion gave birth to Navi Mumbai, a large integrated city designed to mirror the prestige of the original metropolis.

The Emergence of Navi Mumbai: A Visionary Proposal

By the early 20th century, Mumbai had grown into a bustling hub of trade, industry, and governance. However, by the 1950s, the city was struggling with congestion and overcrowding, especially in its southern business districts. The geography of Mumbai, a narrow island, only exacerbated the problem, making it clear that further expansion on the island would be impractical.

 

Figure 1 The Twin Metropolis; Mumbai &Navi Mumbai

In response, the 1965 MARG article proposed a radical solution: to build a "single major urban center" across the Thane Creek, on the mainland. This new city would not be a collection of small satellite towns but a large, prestigious urban center, designed to be as significant as the old city of Mumbai itself. This vision was officially accepted, leading to the formation of Navi Mumbai in 1970, a city that would act as a counter-magnet to Mumbai and help decentralize its population and economic activities.

Laying the Foundation: CIDCO and the Development Plan

The responsibility for planning and developing Navi Mumbai was assigned to CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra), a government enterprise established in 1970. The strong influence of Charles Correa, Pravin Mehta, and Shirish Patel was evident in CIDCO's Draft Development Plan of 1973.

The objectives of the plan were ambitious:

·   Reduce the growth rate of Mumbai's population by attracting new residents and industries to Navi Mumbai.

·       Provide high living standards with equitable access to physical and social services.

·     Balance industrial development across Maharashtra by redistributing industries and jobs.

In 1970, 344 square kilometers of land were earmarked for the project, encompassing parts of the Thane and Raigad districts. This land, much of which was marshy and underdeveloped, was transformed to create the foundation for the new city.

A Self-Sustaining City: Nodal and Economic Planning

Navi Mumbai was designed as a poly-centric, nodal city, with each node planned as a self-contained unit providing jobs, education, and essential services to its residents. This model, inspired by the structure of Greater Mumbai, aimed to avoid over-centralization and create a network of interconnected yet independent towns. 

 

                                                     Figure 2 Conceptual nodal planning

The economic vision for Navi Mumbai was to replicate the elements that had driven Mumbai's growth: industry, ports, and government jobs. The plan anticipated creating 750,000 jobs for an estimated population of 2 million, aiming to shift employment from the congested island city to the mainland.

A major aspect of the city's transport plan was mass public transit, with nodes strung along a transport axis. This would ensure that residents could access transit stops within walking distance, fostering efficient movement within the city.

Reality vs. Vision: Challenges in Achieving Growth

Despite these comprehensive plans, the population growth and economic development of Navi Mumbai fell short of projections. By 1990, the city was expected to have a population of 2 million, but by 2011, it had only reached 1.18 million. Several factors contributed to this gap, including:

·  Uncertain Economic Base: The initial vision of shifting government jobs and industrial activities to Navi Mumbai faced political resistance, and the anticipated relocation of government offices never materialized.

·    Delay in Port Development: Although the development of the NhavaSheva port (now known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust) was expected to drive growth, delays and the mechanization of port operations limited the creation of new jobs.

·   Dependency on Mumbai: Although Navi Mumbai was envisioned as an independent city, it remained economically tied to Mumbai. Many residents continued to commute to Mumbai for work, and the city’s growth became more about housing than industry or commerce.

Lessons Learned: Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Reality

The story of Navi Mumbai underscores the complexities of urban planning. While the city has grown and developed, it remains partially dependent on its neighboring metropolis. This is a common challenge faced by new cities, which often struggle to become entirely self-sufficient. Several lessons emerge from Navi Mumbai’s evolution:

·     Market Adaptation: Economic conditions and market trends can significantly impact urban growth, and planners need to remain flexible in adapting to these changes.

·  Political Support: Visionary urban plans require strong political backing for successful implementation. In Navi Mumbai’s case, the lack of commitment to moving government jobs hindered the realization of the original objectives.

·    Monitoring and Evaluation: The absence of mechanisms for monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments can widen the gap between envisioned outcomes and actual development.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

Navi Mumbai's journey from an ambitious plan to its current state highlights the dynamic nature of urban growth. While some objectives were met, others were not fully realized. As urban planners and policymakers continue to shape the future of cities, the experience of Navi Mumbai serves as a valuable lesson: building a new city near a major metropolis comes with unique challenges, particularly in achieving economic self-sufficiency.

As the city continues to evolve, it remains a crucial part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, providing insights into the complexities of modern urban planning in India.

Arundhati N.

Assistant Professor, TSAP, Mumbai