Cabinet Allots Prime Ulwe Land to TTD at Token Rate- Key Highlights
- Land Allocation & Location: 3.6-acre plot in Sector 12, Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, near the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, allotted to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
- Pricing & Concessions: Offered at a token rate of ₹1 per sq metre with land premium and infrastructure charges waived
- Precedents: Third major land allotment to TTD in recent years, following similar concessions in Bandra-Kherwadi and 2019 allotments
- Temple Project & Design: Replica of Tirupati-Tiruchanur shrines with Dravidian architecture, grand rajagopuram, vimana, mandapams, and granite construction, designed with environmental safeguards
- Economic & Social Impact: Expected to boost religious tourism and local economy, catering to devotees in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with flood-mitigation and mangrove protection measures incorporated
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 Tumala Tippati Devasthanams (TTD). The land which TTD is to get has been offered at a token price of Rs1 per square meter, and the related expenditure has also been waived. This was the top issue at the meeting of the state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on January 17.
The site as well as the plot is in Sector 12, Ulwe, a fast developing locality in the CIDCO area, right next to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and Mumbai Trans, Harbour Link (Atal Setu). CIDCO officials said that the land was originally being handled under regular procedures, where it was proposed to be leased at prevailing market rates. However, TTD asked for an equal footing considering a previous allotment in Navi Mumbai of 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. Regarding the Ulwe allotment, a CIDCO official said, “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 and adjoining districts, ensuring easy accessibility and avoiding the long distance to travel to Andhra Pradesh. "A TTD official said,
"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 also described in the cabinet decision regarding the economic and cultural impact.
According to the state officials: "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 carried out environmental safeguards after getting clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). To ensure environmental safety, permanent structures shall not encroach upon mangrove buffer zones, and there will be flood, mitigation measures in the design, with an elevated plinth being one of them.
Temple Design & Architecture:
Replication of Tirupati, Tiruchanur temples following Dravidian style of architecture.Features a large rajagopuram, a vimana over the sanctum shrine, and several mandapams for different ceremonies.Granite stone will be used as the main building material.
Main Features of the Allotment:
- 3.6 acres located in Sector 12, Ulwe, near Navi Mumbai Airport and Trans-Harbour Link.
- ₹1 per sq metre; land premium and infrastructure charges waived.
- One of the prime land allotments for TTD in the last three years.
- No construction in mangrove buffer zones; flood prevention ensured via an elevated plinth.
CIDCO would soon follow up with the allotment letter, after which the TTD would go ahead with their architectural designs and further action plans in accordance with state norms. This action on the part of the cabinet seems a prudent blend of judicial precedents, public interest, as well as the fact that the TTD is a non-commercial concern, given the controversy about concessional allotments in a growing urban area.
