In order to boost connectivity via public transport in Thane, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) is planning to construct a 29-km-long ring Metro corridor in Thane. The Metro, that will partially run underground, will connect the interiors of the city.
Increasing vehicular density in the city was the main driving force behind the internal city metro route that will run as a ring route. The 29-km-long ring route metro will provide faster and economic mode of transport to the residents of the city, especially those staying in far-off corners.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project is currently in the final stage.
Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director of MMRC said, "The proposed ring Metro in Thane will connect areas in the city rather than connecting with the neighbourhood cities. We are in the final stages of preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the same."
Out of the total 29-km-long route, around 26-km will be elevated and the remaining 3-km stretch will be underground considering the traffic congestion near Thane railway station. The underground stretch will be nearly 12-25m below the ground.
The estimated cost of the proposed Thane ring Metro is expected to be around Rs 12,000 crore. The daily ridership of Thane ring Metro is expected to be around 5.76 lakh in 2025 which might go up to around 8.72 lakh passengers by 2045, predicts MMRC.
Apart from this, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has plans to connect Thane with south Mumbai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Dombivali along with Vasai and Virar via Metro. Of these, construction work on Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadavli Metro-4 has started earlier this year.
As per 2011 census, Thane city is the 16th most populated city in the country with a population of 18.9 lakh. The MMRC claimed, Thane has experienced rapid urbanisation during the last few decades. Hence, the projected population for 2025, 2035 and 2045 is expected to be 27.34 lakh, 34.99 lakh and 39.45 lakh respectively.
The Project
Out of the total 29-km-long route, around 26-km will be elevated and the remaining 3-km stretch will be underground considering the traffic congestion near Thane railway station
