MASS RAPID TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR THANE

MASS RAPID TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR THANE

Thane city is served by only one railway station on central railway, as a result of which traffic dispersal at the railway station is becoming increasingly difficult.

BACKGROUND:

Thane city is one the major urban conglomerations of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and is well connected to all parts of the country by rail and road. The city's proximity to the commercial capital of India and location at geographical center of MMR has given tremendous impetus to the growth of industries in and around Thane. Thus in the last two decades a number of industries have come up in Thane - Belapur Industrial area, Wagle Industrial Estate, Kalwa Industrial Estate and Kolshet – Balkum complex along Thane - Ghodbunder road.

Thane city is served by only one railway station on central railway, as a result of which traffic dispersal at the railway station is becoming increasingly difficult. Travel distance and time to reach the railway station has also been increasing over the years.

Present System:

Presently mass transport within Thane city is mainly handled by bus transport. However, owing to limited accessibility, there has been a spate of increase in personalized modes of transport and IPT modes.

Thus, existing transport infrastructure will be put to great strain if necessary augmentation measures are not taken up

Past Studies:

Considering the increasing traffic related problems in Thane city and taking a long term view of it, the Government of Maharastra and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) have envisaged the need for an efficient, economical, equitable and environment friendly MRT system for Thane city. Accordingly, GOM and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) had carried out preliminary studies through RITES (1989) and CIDCO (1994) in the past and have recommended a Mass Transit system (LRT). Accordingly, reservation for the proposed ring railway was made in the development plan of Thane city.

However, considering the urgent need for development of such system GoM has appointed MSRDC as the nodal agency for carrying out necessary studies and implementing the MRT system. MSRDC with the assistance from Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has initiated a study through consultants to examine the technical and financial viability of constructing and operating an efficient LRT system in Thane, connecting major land uses including the growing residential and industrial areas and give access to Thane railway station.

Plan for Thane:

Thane Development Plan (TDP) has proposed development of a MRT System along a ring corridor of 20 km length with 11 stations. Based on the reconnaissance survey and other supporting studies, including discussions with local officials, the alignment of the corridor was reviewed and modified to enable easy implementation, avoid environmentally sensitive areas, minimize displacement of people and minimize costs. As TDP was upto year 2001, it was decided to prepare a Master Plan of MRTS for horizon year 2031. For this purpose, based on mathematical models, and with reference to estimated population size of 28.0 million in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by 2031, the population size of Thane has been estimated to be 3.04 million.

How and where:

Of the Master Plan Network, the Ring Corridor and part of the North-South Axial, from Kolshet to Naupada, were identified for conduct of DPR study.

The above two lines were slightly re-organized and renamed as Green Corridor and Red Corridor.

The Green Corridor consisting of 11 stations, starts from Thane Suburban rail station on its northern side. The Thane MRTS station is proposed over the existing ‘Reservation Office’ integrating with Thane suburban rail station. There after, the alignment runs along Gokhale Road upto Naupada station and then along Eastern Expressway upto Kolshet station.

Between Naupada Station and Kolshet Station, there are four stations on the Eastern Expressway viz. Wagle Estate station serving the industrial areas, Cadbury Junction station serving the high density residential and activity areas, Golden Dyes station and Manpada station serving residential areas. After Kolshet station the corridor turns east and southwards to meet Balkum station, where car shed is proposed. Between Kolshet and Balkum station, there is a station at Azad Nagar. Balkum station and alignment on both sides of this station are on ground and the alignment further runs parallel to the proposed DP road behind Saket area upto Creek View Station, which is proposed in the planned Town Centre, the new activity focus of Thane 2031. The alignment runs upto Chendani Station along the Creek. This station serves the Dadaji Kondeo stadium and other educational institutes. From Chendani Station it meets starting point i.e. Thane MRTS Station.

For more detailed information about this Mass Rapid Transport system you may log on to :

Elevated Mass Rapid Transit System for Thane city

www.msrdc.org/site/.../massRapidTransit.aspx