Thane Faces Disruption Amid Rs 55,000 Crore Infrastructure Push Across Ghodbunder
A massive infrastructure programme valued at approximately Rs 55,000 crore is currently underway across Thane, including major routes like Ghodbunder Road and the Eastern Express Highway, as the state government and Thane Municipal Corporation attempt to address severe civic strain caused by years of rapid real estate expansion. The ongoing works encompass metro corridors, flyovers, elevated roads, coastal road links, and allied projects.
The push for infrastructure follows decades of transformation in which Thane shifted from a low-rise city to a dense urban hub. According to former deputy mayor Naresh Manera, gaothan clusters that once defined quieter neighbourhoods were rapidly overtaken by high-rise projects. Activist Dr Mahesh Bedekar noted that intense building activity has narrowed sightlines and replaced open vistas across the city. A former town development official attributed the acceleration in part to a state policy that opened substantial industrial land parcels for residential development following the Ghodbunder Road upgrade under former municipal commissioner T Chandrashekhar.
Real estate growth was further driven by Thane's proximity to Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi, and routes leading to northern Maharashtra, making it an attractive destination for buyers seeking affordable housing options. However, civic infrastructure failed to keep pace with demographic changes. BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar stated that the city's infrastructure has not been upgraded to match a nearly five-fold population increase, noting that some residents in Ghodbunder spend lakhs of rupees annually on water tankers despite paying property taxes and home loans.
Residents and political figures report that the simultaneous execution of multiple large projects is exacerbating daily commuting challenges. Saket resident Dayanand Nene pointed to routine traffic bottlenecks, while frequent motorist Satyajit Shah cited delayed works such as the long-pending Kapurbawdi flyover extension. NCP-SP Thane president Manoj Pradhan remarked that infrastructure intended to reduce congestion is itself intensifying traffic problems during its construction phase.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who approved many of the ongoing works, defended the programme as essential to address accumulated urban pressure and prepare the city for future demand. However, execution methods have drawn criticism from judicial and planning experts. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay Oka questioned the exclusion of residents from decision-making processes during project planning. Urban town planner Sulakshana Mahajan advocated for an integrated mobility strategy incorporating land use and environmental safeguards over simple road widening, while green activist Rohit Joshi urged immediate conservation of Thane's remaining natural assets and lakes.
