Thane at a Glance
Thane is a metropolitan city in the northwestern part of Maharashtra state in India. It is an essential component of the Mumbai Metropolitan Area and a vibrant city that successfully combines modern development with historical relevance.
The city is primarily a residential suburb of Mumbai, though it also has a large industrial complex, including an industrial estate. It hosts the chemical, engineering, and textile industries.
In Asia, the first passenger train ever ran to Thane. The passenger train service between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane was launched on April 16, 1853.
Public transport in Thane
Thane features a well-developed transportation infrastructure and serves as a major junction on the Central Line of Mumbai’s suburban railway network, handling around 654,000 passengers daily. On the other hand, the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT), under Thane Municipal Corporation, operates about 250 buses on 74 routes. However, due to the expansion of urbanisation, existing transport modes struggle to accommodate commuters, especially during peak hours. The inadequate capacity of public transport has increased reliance on private vehicles, which resulted in congested roads and increased pollution. The introduction of a metro to Thane city is expected to accommodate projected ridership of approximately 6.47 lakh passengers daily by 2029, increasing to 8.72 lakh by 2045.
The Need for a Metro System in Thane City.
- Rising Population Trends: In 2001, Thane had a population of 8,131,849, and by the 2011 Census, Thane City had a population of 1,841,488. As of 2024, Thane’s population is estimated to be 26,129,000. To support this growing population, Thane City requires an efficient mode of transport that integrates with other transportation systems to provide seamless connectivity across the city.
- Increasing Traffic Congestion on Roads: Due to increasing urbanisation, Thane experiences severe traffic congestion due to a high density of vehicles on the roads. The existing road infrastructure is often inadequate to handle the growing number of commuters.
- Overburdened Rail System: While Thane is served by suburban rail services, these are often overcrowded, especially during peak hours. The current capacity does not meet the demands of a rapidly growing population, which results in discomfort and safety concerns for passengers.
Thane Metro Overview
On 16 August 2024, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project in Maharashtra. This 29-km corridor will run along the western periphery of Thane city, featuring 22 stations. The metro route will be situated between the Ulhas River on one side and Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on the other.
Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project – Financial Structure
Estimated Project Cost: ₹12,200 crore
Funding Sources: The Thane Metro will be executed with equal equity contributions from the Government of India (GOI) and the Government of Maharashtra (GoM).
Partial Funding:
- Bilateral agencies
Additional Financing Methods:
- Station Naming and Access Rights for corporations
- Asset Monetisation
| The state government has urged the Thane Municipal Corporation to contribute ₹5,078.04 crore towards equity and cover land acquisition expenses. Additionally, an interest-free subordinate loan of ₹969.75 crore will be provided by the state. |
Project Transitions
The Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project has seen several changes since its inception:
- December 2018: The foundation stone for the project was laid by the Prime Minister. Initially, it was conceived as a traditional, heavy metro line for Thane’s mass transit needs.
- 2019: The mass transit proposal was put on hold due to financial constraints.
- Early 2020: The project was revived with plans for a light rail transit (LRT) or metrolite system.
- 2023: The project was again redefined and returned to the original concept of a full-scale metro line.
- 2024: The Union Cabinet granted approval for the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project. MAHA Metro has been assigned to execute the Thane Metro.
Key Features :
| Responsible Authority | Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited | |
| Total distance | 29 km | |
| Total stations | 22 stations | |
| Elevated | 20 stations | |
| Underground | 2 stations | |
| Total cost | Rs. 12,200.10 crore | |
| Current status | Under construction | Geotechnical work begins on Waghbil road |
| Operational | 0 km | |
| Approved | 29 km | |
| Proposed | 0 km | |
| Operational by | 2029 | |
| Electrification | 25 kV, 50 Hz AC OHE | |
| Track gauge | Standard Gauge – 1435 mm | |
| Signalling | Communications-based train control (CBTC) | |
| Expected daily ridership | 6.47 lakh in 20297.61 lakh in 20358.72 lakh in 2045 | |
Thane Metro Phase 1
Thane Metro Phase 1 project will loop around Thane city with 1 circular line.
- Stations: 22 stations (20 elevated and 2 underground).
- Length: 29-km
- Station names: Raila Devi, Wagle Circle, Lokmanya Nagar Bus Depot, Shivaji Nagar, Neelkanth Terminal, Gandhi Nagar, Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar Natyagraha, Manpada, Dongripada, Vijaynagari, Waghbil, Waterfront, Patlipada, Azad Nagar Bus Stop, Manorma Nagar, Kolshet Industrial Area, Balkum Naka, Balkumpada, Rabodi, Shivaji Chowk, Thane Junction (underground) and New Thane (underground).
Ongoing Work on Thane Metro
- Commencement of Geotechnical Work: In early October 2024, Renuka Consultants officially began the geotechnical sub-soil investigation work at Hiranandani Estate.
- New Logo for Thane Metro: Maha Metro has unveiled the new logo for the Thane Metro.
Contracts for the project
| Contract | Work Description | Contract Value | Contractor details |
| DDC-01 | Detailed Design Consultancy Services for 6 elevated stations:Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar NatyagrahaManpadaDongripadaVijay NagariWaghbilWaterfront | Rs. 1.35 crore | STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd |
| Consul-01 | Appointment of General Consultants for Thane Integral Ring Metro Project,for Thane Metro’s rapid implementation by providing support in contract management, design, safety, monitoring, and quality assurance. | Bidding under process ( Bids were invited in October and will be closed by November) | |
| Geo-01 | Geotechnical Investigation for Thane Metro | Renuka Consultants | |
| S&E-01 | Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study & preparation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP) | 4 bids have been submitted in October. | |
| S&E-02 | Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study and preparation of social management implementation plan, rehabilitation & resettlement (R&R Policy) Plan. | Bidding is in progress. |
Challenges Involved in the Thane Metro Project
Financial Sustainability: The project involves funding of ₹12,200 crore, and, like other metro projects in India, achieving financial sustainability will be a challenge for Thane Metro.
Approval and Procedural Delays: Planning and design changes have been made to the Thane Metro project since it was first announced. It started out as a heavy metro, changed to a Metro Lite format, and then went back to being a conventional metro. These changes have caused delays and impacted timelines.
Land Issues: The predominantly elevated route of Thane Metro requires land acquisition, along with the rehabilitation and resettlement of affected residents and businesses. Managing these activities efficiently will be crucial, as delays in land acquisition or resettlement could extend project timelines and increase costs.
Social Acceptance: Compared to the metro, Thane City’s suburban train network provides a cheaper mode of transport. Getting people to pick the Thane Metro will be one of the major challenges for Maha Metro.
Environmental Concerns: The metro line’s construction may have an impact on the local ecosystem, especially in the vicinity of Upwan Lake, where locals have expressed worries about environmental degradation brought on by growing urban infrastructure. Development and ecological preservation must be balanced by the implementing agencies.
Benefits Associated with Thane Metro
Integration with Mumbai Metro & Suburban Railway: Thane, a residential suburb of Mumbai, has a large portion of its population commuting daily to Mumbai for work. The Thane Metro will integrate with Mumbai Metro Line 4 (Wadala–Kasaravadavali) and Line 5 (Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan), as well as with Railways at Thane Junction station. This integration will facilitate smoother traffic flow, reducing strain on other modes of transport.
Reduced Traffic Congestion: Due to its integration with other transport modes, more people are likely to opt for the Thane Metro to reach their destinations, which will reduce road traffic. Initial projections indicate that Thane Metro will attract about 6.47 lakh daily commuters.
Environmental Sustainability: The shift from private vehicles to public transport will help reduce pollution in the city, supporting India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Boost to Economy: As the city becomes more connected and accessible, property prices are expected to rise along the Thane Metro route. Additionally, the route will attract businesses to set up near stations due to increased commuter footfall.
Employment Generation: The construction and operations of the Thane Metro will create job opportunities for residents.
Conclusion
The Thane Metro project aims to address Thane’s growing transportation needs with a 29-km circular line encompassing 22 stations. Designed to relieve congestion, support rising commuter numbers, and reduce pollution, the metro is expected to serve over 6 lakh passengers daily by 2029. Integrated with Mumbai’s transit network, it will offer better connectivity for Thane residents. While challenges like funding, land acquisition, and environmental concerns remain, the metro project is projected to enhance urban mobility and provide practical benefits for daily commuters in Thane.
