Thane-Mulund set to get a new breathing station under Smart City plan

Preparatory work underway at Thane railway station amid plans for a new suburban station between Thane and Mulund to ease commuter congestion. Pics/By Special Arrangement

With Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw granting "in-principle" approval for a new suburban railway station between Thane and Mulund, commuters may soon see major relief at the overcrowded Thane railway station, where passenger load is expected to reduce significantly.

The proposed station will come up on 14.83 acres of land belonging to the Regional Mental Hospital in Thane and is part of the Thane Smart City project.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced that approval for the project had been granted, calling it a "new momentum" for transportation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

In a social media post, Fadnavis thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for clearing the proposal in principle.

The station, planned between Thane and Mulund, is expected to serve commuters from Ghodbunder Road, Pokhran Road No 1 and No 2, and Wagle Estate.

Officials said the new station is expected to reduce commuter footfall at Thane station by 31 per cent and at Mulund station by 24 per cent.

Facilities planned

The proposed station will include...
>> Vehicular parking
>> Deck outside the station
>> Bus terminus facility
>> Circulating area for commuters

How the work will be divided

The Railway operating area
>> Construction to be carried out by Central Railway
>> Funded by Thane Smart City Limited

Circulating area
>> Development work to be executed by Thane Smart City Limited

Expected benefits

>> Reduction in crowding at Thane railway station
>> Easing of traffic congestion in eastern and western Thane
>> Reduction in traffic movement within city
>> Less time spent commuting for passengers
>> Lower pollution levels around the station area

Project at a glance

Location: Between Thane and Mulund stations
Land parcel: 14.83 acres
Land ownership: Regional Mental Hospital, Thane
Project authority: Thane Smart City project
Expected reduction in footfall

Thane station
31 pc

Mulund station
24 pc