Thane: The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) has commenced the Geo-Technical Investigation (GTI) for the Thane Integral Ring Metro Project Corridor. This ambitious 29-kilometer corridor will encompass the periphery of Thane city’s west side, featuring 22 stations. Of these, two stations will be underground, while the remaining 20 will be at grade level.
A senior MahaMetro official revealed, “We have already established our office and begun staff mobilization. Additionally, we are conducting surveys to identify utilities such as underground cables, which may need to be relocated to ensure a smooth construction phase once it begins.” The official also noted that the finalization of the route alignment is currently underway.
Projections for the corridor’s Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) and daily ridership are promising. By 2029, when the project is expected to become operational, the PHPDT is estimated to be 23,320 with a daily ridership of 647,000. These figures are expected to increase to a PHPDT of 29,489 and a daily ridership of 761,000 by 2035, and further to a PHPDT of 31,393 and a daily ridership of 872,000 by 2045.
The corridor is set to connect major business hubs, providing an efficient transport solution for thousands of daily commuters, including students and office-goers, by offering faster and more economical travel options.
The estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 12,200.10 crore, funded equally by the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Maharashtra (GoM), with additional support from bilateral agencies. Funds will also be raised through innovative financing methods such as Station Naming and Access Rights for Corporates, Monetization of Assets, and Value Capture Financing routes.
Initially, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) was responsible for executing the project, but this responsibility has since been transferred to MahaMetro.
In related developments, MahaMetro has received proposals from five consultants to design approximately 8 kilometers of the total corridor. The companies vying for the design contract include RITES Limited, STUP Consultants, LKT Engineering Consultants, and two French firms through their Indian subsidiaries – Enia Design and Systra MVA Consulting.
Names Of Stations:
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, Manorama Nagar, Kolshet Industrial Area, Balkum Naka, Balkumpada, Rabodi, Shivaji Chowk, Thane Junction (underground) and New Thane (underground).
