Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson Nita Ambani has announced plans to develop a 100-acre township in Karjat, near Mumbai, designed to provide lifelong homes to more than 5,000 people, including orphaned children, senior citizens and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Named Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray, the proposed township is envisioned as a permanent, not-for-profit residential community combining housing, specialised healthcare, education, rehabilitation and employment opportunities. Nita Ambani performed the Bhumi Pujan and groundbreaking ceremony at the proposed site on Sunday. The project will be developed in phases and remains subject to the necessary approvals.
According to Reliance Foundation, the township could support around 15,000 people when caregivers, healthcare professionals, support staff and their families are included.
The initiative is built around the idea of providing people who need lifelong assistance with something beyond institutional care: a permanent home, a supportive community and the opportunity to live with dignity.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Nita Ambani said the project held special significance for her family.
“For me and my family, Nita Mukesh Ambani Anant Ashray is a beginning very close to our hearts. It is a step towards building a loving home for people with disabilities, children who need a home and seniors who seek care and comfort,” she said.
Eight Villages Planned Across the 100-Acre Township
One of the distinctive features of Anant Ashray will be its proposed residential structure. The township will be divided into eight villages, each named after a sacred Indian river.
Every village will have its own colour, symbol and sensory garden. These features are intended to help residents identify different areas and navigate the community with greater independence.
Rather than placing residents in conventional institutional facilities, the project plans to accommodate them in smaller, family-style homes. Live-in house parents and dedicated caregivers will provide everyday support.
Residents will also have the freedom to personalise their rooms with photographs, chosen colours and belongings that hold personal meaning.
Each individual will receive a dedicated care and development plan prepared in consultation with them and their families. These plans will cover healthcare, education, skill development, employment, friendships and personal well-being.
A designated key worker will coordinate the support provided to each resident. The plans will be reviewed at least once every six months to ensure that assistance continues to meet changing needs as residents grow older.
Specialised Hospital, Rehabilitation Centre and School
Healthcare and rehabilitation will form a major part of the proposed township.
A specialised hospital is planned to provide services covering developmental medicine, epilepsy care, special-needs dentistry and palliative care, among other medical requirements.
Rehabilitation facilities will offer physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and hydrotherapy. The township will also include playgrounds, gardens, farms, sports facilities and workshops.
Education will be another important component, with special education services planned alongside a mainstream school for the children of staff members.
The project also proposes an animal companionship farm, to be developed with expertise from Vantara. The facility is intended to give residents opportunities to interact with animals.
A temple, cafés and other community spaces will also be part of the township, creating an environment where residents can participate in everyday social and cultural activities.
Bakery, Cafes and Craft Studios to Create Employment Opportunities
Anant Ashray is also being planned around the idea that residents should have opportunities to work and develop practical skills.
A bakery, café and craft studios are among the proposed facilities where residents can receive vocational training, take up work and earn wages.
The initiative will also include a national training academy focused on developing India’s disability-care workforce. It is expected to provide specialised training and capacity-building opportunities.
Other proposed facilities include family respite homes, mobile medical clinics, a dedicated hospice wing and a garden of remembrance.
The respite facilities are intended to support families who need temporary assistance while caring for loved ones. Mobile medical clinics will extend healthcare services to communities beyond the township.
Nita Ambani Says Initiative Aims to Address Parents’ Biggest Concern
Nita Ambani also spoke about the concerns faced by parents raising children with disabilities, particularly the uncertainty surrounding their children’s future care when they are no longer around.
“As a mother, my deepest hope is that parents who have spent a lifetime worrying about who will care for their children when they are no longer there can find peace in knowing that their child will always have a home and a family of their own,” she said.
The proposed township is intended to support people with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and complex medical conditions, particularly those requiring continuous specialist assistance.
Beyond its residential facilities, Reliance Foundation expects the project to benefit surrounding communities in the Karjat region. Around 1,000 people from the area are expected to access therapy, education and employment opportunities through the initiative.
The foundation also plans to extend benefits through respite care, outreach programmes and community healthcare services. The hospital, sports facilities, temple and cafés are expected to serve neighbouring villages as well.
With space for more than 5,000 permanent residents, Anant Ashray is being envisioned as a community where children without families, older people and individuals requiring specialised support can find long-term care and a sense of belonging.
The project will be developed in phases, with its central idea extending beyond providing shelter to creating an environment where people can build relationships, learn, work and participate in community life.
