The NAINA Problem: Is CIDCO’s Dream City Becoming a Nightmare for Farmers?
Published 12 Sep 2025, 12:56 PM IST
For nearly a decade, farmers in the Raigad district have been locked in a stalemate with CIDCO over the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project. The conflict, rooted in a contentious land pooling scheme, continues to simmer, with farmers’ organizations consistently rejecting the development model and threatening to derail one of Maharashtra’s most ambitious urban projects.
Key Points
- Ongoing Agitation: The main protesting body, NAINA Prakalp Badhit Shetkari Utkarsh Samiti, has been holding regular protests against CIDCO’s plan. Their methods include large marches (morchas), village shutdowns (gaon bandhs), and even relay hunger strikes.
- Rejection of 60:40 Scheme: Farmers strongly oppose CIDCO’s 60:40 land pooling formula. Under this model, they must hand over all of their land and will only get 40% of it back as a developed plot later.
- Alternative Demands: Farmers want the current NAINA model scrapped. Instead, they are asking CIDCO to either buy land directly by paying fair compensation as per the 2013 Land Acquisition Act, or to follow the older 12.5% developed plot scheme used in Navi Mumbai’s first phase of development.
- CIDCO’s Persistent Push: Despite repeated protests, CIDCO has gone ahead by sanctioning Town Planning Schemes (TPS) in different villages and issuing tenders for big infrastructure works. This shows its intent to move forward with the project.
What it means for Navi Mumbai
The standoff has slowed down the growth expected around the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Important housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure projects are delayed, which affects the region’s overall progress.
Because of the dispute, many developers and investors are cautious about putting money into NAINA. This has created a stop-start situation in the real estate market, making the area unstable for long-term growth.
The deadlock has created deep mistrust between farmers and CIDCO. Many locals feel ignored, and this sets a negative example for future big projects in Maharashtra.
The Core of the ConflictZ
The vision of NAINA is to create a new, planned city around the upcoming airport — one that could house lakhs of people and bring in huge economic activity. But the way CIDCO plans to get land for this city has become the biggest roadblock.
At the heart of the issue is the 60:40 Town Planning Scheme (TPS). Farmers must give 100% of their land. In return, they are promised 40% back later, as a developed plot with proper infrastructure. The remaining 60% will be used by CIDCO for roads, utilities, and also for selling to fund the project. Farmers will not receive direct money for the land they give up.
The Core of the Conflict
Loss of livelihood: They lose their entire farmland — their only source of income.
Uncertainty: There is no clear timeline for when their “developed plot” will be ready or valuable.
Unfair exchange: Giving away 60% of ancestral land without payment feels like a heavy loss.
Because of this, farmers have organized many large-scale protests, including padayatras (foot marches) from Panvel to Mantralaya in Mumbai. Their demand remains the same: either buy land directly with proper compensation, or revert to the 12.5% developed plot model that was used earlier.
CIDCO’s Stand
Loss of livelihood: They lose their entire farmland — their only source of income.
Uncertainty: There is no clear timeline for when their “developed plot” will be ready or valuable.
Unfair exchange: Giving away 60% of ancestral land without payment feels like a heavy loss.
Because of this, farmers have organized many large-scale protests, including padayatras (foot marches) from Panvel to Mantralaya in Mumbai. Their demand remains the same: either buy land directly with proper compensation, or revert to the 12.5% developed plot model that was used earlier.
The Road Ahead
As things stand, both sides remain firm. CIDCO is moving ahead with planning and tenders, while farmers are determined to continue their protests. Without a middle ground or a serious dialogue, the NAINA standoff is likely to continue, keeping the future of South Navi Mumbai uncertain.
Sources
Free Press Journal – “Farmers Oppose NAINA Town Planning Scheme, Demand Property Rights & Fair Compensation Before Implementation” Source
Hindustan Times – “CIDCO issues tenders worth ₹6,600 crore for road and infra projects in NAINA” Source
Hindustan Times – “NAINA project faces new hurdles as villagers demand compensation” Source
Free Press Journal – “Navi Mumbai: Farmers In Panvel Launch Indefinite Strike Against NAINA Project” Source
