Maharashtra Cabinet Allots Prime Navi Mumbai Land to TTD at Token ₹1 per Sq Metre

The Maharashtra state cabinet has resolved to hand over a 3.6-acre piece of land in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, for the construction of a Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The land has been offered at a token price of ₹1 per square metre, with all related expenditure waived. This decision was made at a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on January 17.

The site and plot are located in Sector 12, Ulwe, a rapidly developing locality in the CIDCO area, adjacent to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (Atal Setu). CIDCO officials stated that the land was originally being handled under regular procedures, with plans to lease it at prevailing market rates. However, TTD requested equal footing, considering a previous allotment in Navi Mumbai for a Tirupati temple.

This marks the third major land allotment to the TTD in recent years. On November 5 last year, the trust received a 395-sq m plot in Bandra’s Kherwadi on a 30-year lease at ₹1 per year, following a similar allocation in 2019. A CIDCO official commented, “CIDCO approved the request and submitted the proposal to the government for clearance. The cabinet accepted the request for allotment at ₹1 per square metre, citing the precedent set earlier for the Tirupati temple and the non-profit, religious character of the trust. Given the public nature of the institution and earlier policy decisions, the government agreed to extend similar concessions.”

The temple will cater to devotees from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and adjoining districts, ensuring easy accessibility and avoiding the long distance to travel to Andhra Pradesh. A TTD official stated, “The concept is to cater to the whole sea of devotees in MMR and provide a spiritual hub that is accessible throughout the year.” The project is expected to have a significant economic and cultural impact. State officials noted, “Large religious institutions typically generate steady footfalls, which supports local economic activity and religious tourism.” The trust will bear all costs related to construction, upkeep, and management of the temple complex.

The project has incorporated environmental safeguards, including clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). To ensure environmental safety, permanent structures will not encroach upon mangrove buffer zones, and flood mitigation measures will be implemented, such as an elevated plinth.

The temple will replicate the Tirupati and Tiruchanur temples, following the Dravidian style of architecture. Key features include a large rajagopuram, a vimana over the sanctum shrine, and several mandapams for different ceremonies. Granite stone will be the primary building material.

CIDCO will soon issue the allotment letter, after which TTD will proceed with their architectural designs and further action plans in accordance with state norms. This decision by the cabinet appears to be a prudent blend of judicial precedents, public interest, and the non-commercial nature of the TTD, despite the controversy surrounding concessional allotments in a growing urban area.