‘Thane's Future Growth: Sustainable and inclusive urban future’

November 2025

Thane is advancing toward a sustainable and inclusive urban future through strategic planning, infrastructural development, and participatory governance, Saurabh Rao, I.A.S., TMC Commissioner explains to Consulting Editor Kamlesh Pandya in the second part of his interview

Q: What is your vision for Thane's future growth and development? and what are the key priorities for Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC)?

• Upgradation of urban infrastructure like Roads, strengthening public transport
• Upgrade all Municipal primary health centers and schools with modern facilities.
• Ensure reliable water supply, sanitation, and drainage.
• Build a new business district around the upcoming bullet train station, planned to be more advanced than Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex.
• Advance major infrastructure projects such as metro lines, coastal road, tunnels, and flyovers to improve overall connectivity.
• To manage the urban growth through planned development and redevelopment of congested , unauthorized and deteriorated areas into well planned neighbourhoods through the planning and implementation of Urban Renewal Scheme in Thane City.

Q: What infrastructure projects are planned or underway to support Thane's growth, and how will they impact the city's development?

• Greatly reducing travel time and traffic congestion, especially with the Thane Borivali tunnel cutting commute from 1-2 hours to 15 minutes, improving life quality and reducing pollution.
• Enhancing connectivity through new Thane Coastal Road (13.21 Km KharigaonGaimukh) and metro network (MMRDA & Thane Metro), making Thane a key transit and economic hub within Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
• Spurring real estate growth with increased demand for residential and commercial properties near metro stations and transit corridors.
• Attracting investments and job opportunities from new commercial hubs, healthcare (AIIMS), education (Digital University), and tourism (viewing tower).
• Creating sustainable urban living with expanded green spaces like Town Park and better infrastructure.
• Thane on a strategic high-speed rail corridor, attracting businesses, professionals, and investments.
• The Urban Renewal Scheme will ensure comprehensive upgradation of city infrastructure, including the widening and improvement of road networks, development of an efficient stormwater drainage system to prevent flooding, and modernization of essential utilities such as water supply, electricity, and sewage system.

Q: How does TMC prioritize sustainable development and environmental considerations?

• Preparation of a long-term City Development Plan (CDP) focused on sustainable growth, improved quality of life, and a holistic, inclusive approach toward urban development (Vision 2031).
• Annual preparation of Environmental Status Reports (ESRs) since 1996 to monitor and plan for environmental quality and sustainable development.
• Public engagement through Municipal Lokshahi Din, complaint desks with e-mail complaints addressed by the Commissioner, and a Citizen Facilitation Centre for transparency and accountability.
• Ecological restoration through plantation drives, including over 19,000 mangroves planted along the creek and thousands of neem trees, plus development of nature parks and botanical gardens.
• Mandatory installation of solar water heating systems in new and public buildings along with property tax rebates to promote solar energy.
• Installation of solar PV systems up to 10 MW over municipal buildings and procurement of electric buses as part of climate resilience and low emission strategie.
• Promoting treated used water reuse with specific city targets and strategic plans to optimize sewage treatment capacity and reduce freshwater dependency.

~ Mr.  Saurabh Rao,
I.A.S
Municipal Commissioner
Thane Municipal Corporation

Source: Thane Realty News

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