The Maharashtra government has approved the establishment of an Integrated Film and Television Media Hub on 150 acres of land owned by All India Radio (Prasar Bharati) in Malad, Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday gave the green light to a proposal for creating a special purpose vehicle (SPV) jointly by the state government and Prasar Bharati to execute the project.
MoU Signed for Development
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Prasar Bharati, the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation to facilitate the development. The total land parcel owned by Prasar Bharati in Malad spans 278 acres, out of which approximately 150 acres will be utilized for joint development with Film City.
Shift from Analog to FM Broadcasting
According to a government press release, the decision to repurpose the land stems from the gradual shift of All India Radio broadcasting to the FM system, freeing up significant space. This available area will now be leveraged to expand the media and entertainment sector in the region.
Facilities Planned at the Media Hub
The proposed media hub is envisioned to include a range of state-of-the-art facilities such as film studios, sound stages, hospitality services, IT and ITES-related infrastructure, tourism development projects, and international standard film and music training centers. To ensure world-class training, the government plans to collaborate with renowned educational institutions abroad.
Regulatory Challenges and Solutions
Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that the site currently falls under No-Development Zone (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations, which restrict development to a limited area. He stated, For complete development, necessary statutory permissions, changes in rules, and amendments in the Development Control Regulations will have to be made. All necessary cooperation will be provided by the state government in this regard.
Next Steps and Timeline
To move the project forward, Fadnavis instructed the appointment of a consultancy firm to prepare a pre-feasibility study and action plan. Additionally, a joint working committee comprising officers from both institutions will be formed to expedite the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and address technical aspects. The Chief Minister directed that all components of the project and the development plan be finalized by the end of June.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by state cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, and senior officials from Film City and MIDC.
