Cidco identified 100 hectares (250 acres) at Karanjade in Panvel, near Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), for its flagship International Educity project. The development will host the country's first integrated cluster of leading foreign universities and position Navi Mumbai as a global education destination.

The world-class knowledge township will include international university campuses, research centres, innovation hubs, student housing and allied infrastructure. The site is within 3–4 km radius of the airport and connected to NH-348 and multimodal corridor.

Cidco Vice Chairman Vijay Singhal said centres of the world's top 10 universities will be established there. The project was earlier linked to Kundevahal village but Cidco advanced it with Karanjade as the preferred location due to flatter terrain and faster infrastructure readiness.

Cidco completed around 85% of required land acquisition with preparatory work underway including land levelling and rock outcrop removal. The corporation earmarked ₹890 crore for preparatory works and related development. Tenders include ₹116.53 crore contract for 1.1-km access road, 30–45 metres wide, linking the site to NH-4B Panvel–Uran–JNPT corridor.

Planning allocates around 10 hectares to each university campus per international norms. Six foreign universities reached agreement stage, including University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Western Australia, Illinois Institute of Technology and Istituto Europeo di Design.

Partner universities will retain autonomy over academic programmes, fee structures and calendars, enabling Indian students to obtain foreign degrees at estimated 25–30% lower cost than studying abroad. Two MoUs worth ₹1,500 crore each were signed with University of York and University of Western Australia, taking anchor institutional commitments to ₹3,000 crore. Overall investment estimated at ₹20,000–₹25,000 crore.

Karanjade offers connectivity to Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Jawaharlal Nehru Port logistics network, and upcoming metro and suburban rail systems. Project expected to catalyse demand for hostels, rental housing, hospitality, retail, transport and professional services, generating direct and indirect employment.

Residents of Karanjade node Sector-4 are facing issues with open and broken manholes in the drainage system. Open manhole points are dumped with wastes and contributing to mosquito breeding.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) commences operations 25 December 2025, positioned as India's first fully digital airport with advanced automation. The airport anchors an aerotropolis-style ecosystem integrating logistics, commercial zones, hospitality, and residential development.

Connectivity improvements: Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) reduces Sewri to Chirle travel to 20 minutes. Navi Mumbai Metro Line 8 will link NMIA with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Alibaug–Virar Multimodal Corridor and Panvel–Karjat suburban rail line under development.

Panvel transformed from peripheral suburb to growth nucleus through strategic location at intersection of highways, rail corridors, metro lines, and upcoming airport.

Real estate appreciation: Navi Mumbai prices up 10–15% over past year before airport operations. Industry expects quality residential assets to appreciate additional 20–25% within one year of airport opening. Panvel and Ulwe leading appreciation, followed by Taloja, Roadpali, Karanjade, Karjat.

Wadhwa Wise City: integrated township spanning 200+ acres in Panvel with apartments (Tulip), luxury bungalows (Magnolia), plotted developments (Reserves, The Haven), retail, school, temple. Uses VENTILIT design philosophy emphasising air, light, height. Navi Mumbai Airport operator leasing residential flats for airport staff and families.