Union Cabinet approves Thane ring metro project
Metro Railway Corporation Limited (MMRCL) will undertake the project, which will be its inaugural greenfield venture in the metropolitan region. TOI had reported on August 7 that MMRCL was in the final stages of appointing design consultants for the project. "...It is our constant endeavour to ensure Maharashtra gets modern infrastructure.
Today, the Union Cabinet has cleared the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project. This is a landmark infrastructure project which will link key areas in and around Thane, as well as enhance comfort and convenience," PM Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
Chief minister Eknath Shinde expressed gratitude towards PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah, Union minister of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, and former MoHUA minister Manohar Lal Khattar for their support of this project. "...The Thane metro will largely improve connectivity within the city. We have done extensive follow-up with the Centre to get the project approved," he said on X.
Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for the approval. "Tremendous news for Maharashtra! Thank you Hon PM Narendra Modi ji … ₹12,200 crore for Thane Integral Ring Metro… The project will significantly reduce traffic congestion and in turn will benefit in cleaner environment and accelerate further development," he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Officials stated that the project promises to resolve the current commuting difficulties encountered by the city's residents, as the 29-km long route with 22 stations running along the western side of the city would link distant areas of the city with the new and old Thane railway stations within an hour. Approximately 26 kms of the route will be elevated, while the remaining will be underground.
The project is scheduled to commence operations by 2029 and will connect the remote residential and commercial hubs of Thane city like Wagle Estate, Ghodbunder, Kolshet, and Saket with the old and new railway stations, while also providing a vital link to Mumbai and Kalyan via the ongoing metro lines 4 and 5. Among the 22 stations, the new and old Thane railway stations will be constructed underground.
According to the plans, each of the 6-coach rakes, with an estimated carrying capacity of 1,500 passengers, will operate in both directions at an interval of roughly 15 minutes, completing the loop within an hour. The planners anticipate that the project will result in a total daily ridership on the metro corridor reaching 8.72 lakh passengers by 2045.
The ₹12,200 crore project will be jointly financed by the state and central governments, with funds also being raised through the sale of station names, access rights for corporations, monetization of assets, and value capture financing routes. The project is also expected to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a statement released by the central government.
"The MMRCL will promptly initiate preparations for floating the tenders. The Thane IRMRP will benefit millions of daily city commuters, particularly those from distant locations of the city, by offering a faster and more economical transport option. The route will also connect major business hubs and provide an efficient transport option for its employees as well," said the MMRCL.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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