"Reliance Industries Unveils Plans for Data Centers and Logistics Hub in Navi Mumbai"

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is gearing up for massive investments in Navi Mumbai, with plans to establish an industrial township featuring a comprehensive ecosystem. The development will include industries, logistics infrastructure, data centers, retail spaces, and supporting facilities, according to sources.

The project will be located within Navi Mumbai Integrated Industrial Area (NMIIA) Pvt Ltd, an entity created by the Maharashtra government in 2004 to develop an integrated industrial zone spanning over 5,000 acres. Designated as a Special Planning Authority, NMIIA holds a key position in the region’s industrial development.

In 2022, RIL acquired a 74% stake in NMIIA Pvt Ltd for ₹1,628 crore from Dronagiri Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Urban Infrastructure Holdings. The remaining 26% stake is held by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which had waived its right of first refusal on the majority stake. This acquisition set the stage for RIL’s ambitious plans for the region.

According to insiders, RIL is currently drafting a detailed blueprint for the development in collaboration with the Maharashtra government. The government is seeking RIL’s support to develop the zone, originally designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The proposed township will also include hotels and convention centers, aiming to create a self-contained hub for business and leisure.

Last week, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Maharashtra government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RIL for investments exceeding ₹3 lakh crore across sectors such as manufacturing, new energy, retail, and hospitality. A significant portion of these investments is expected to flow into NMIIA.

The strategic location of NMIIA offers several advantages, including its proximity to Nariman Point via the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, and the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport. Positioned along the Pune-Mumbai-Thane corridor, the development is poised to become a key industrial and logistics hub in the region.

RIL has not responded to inquiries about the proposed investments. However, the project underscores the conglomerate’s commitment to driving large-scale infrastructure and economic growth in Maharashtra.

HBL