Thane’s 34 Infrastructure Projects: Will They Be The Key To Winning Votes In The Upcoming Assembly Election?

As the Maharashtra assembly election is around the corner, Thane and its nearby areas are set to benefit from a remarkable Rs 3,96,636.75 crore investment in at least 34 infrastructure projects over the next decade, as reported by Hindustan Times (HT). This significant development is expected to transform Thane into a key suburb within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

An official from the Maharashtra government stated in HT that this is an unprecedented number of projects concentrated in a relatively small area, which is likely to enhance Thane's status in the region. The MMR spans 6,328 square kilometres, with the Thane district covering 4,214 square kilometres and the Thane civic limit extending over 147 square kilometres.

Eknath Shinde's Influence In Thane Development

The 34 projects, which include new metro lines, bullet trains, expressways, elevated roads, and tunnels, illustrate the influence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the area. CM Shinde served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Thane from 2004 to 2009 and has represented the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency since then. Kopri-Pachpakhadi is one of 18 assembly constituencies within Thane district.

A senior government official, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted, "Over the years, both CM Shinde and other elected representatives from Thane have actively raised requests for development. Having key portfolios has allowed the Shiv Sena to expedite the clearance processes for these projects."

Boosting Real Estate And Economic Growth

Most of the 34 projects either begin or pass through Thane, and many are aimed at reducing congestion in the district. Thane has received numerous project approvals since CM Shinde took charge of important state departments, particularly during the 2014-2019 period when Devendra Fadnavis was chief minister of the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government.

During that time, CM Shinde led the Ministry of Public Works, which oversees key public infrastructure projects, including those managed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Following the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in November 2019, Shinde retained his role and added responsibilities in urban development and as chairman of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

With Shinde at the helm of Maharashtra's infrastructure planning and budget allocations, Thane has secured a significant share of the state's infrastructure projects. This development is also proving advantageous for the real estate sector, providing various selling points to potential home buyers in areas farther from Thane railway station.

Ayushi Ashar, director of the Ashar Group, a prominent developer based in Mumbai and Thane, commented, "Such extensive infrastructure development can change a city's reputation. It positively affects related industries, boosts business activities, and leads to job creation and increased property values. Improved connectivity is also likely to grow the local GDP by about 15-18 per cent in the future."

In addition to projects in Thane city, many developments are planned for surrounding areas such as Kalyan, Dombivali, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Mumbra, and Kalwa, which fall under the jurisdiction of CM Shinde's son, Shrikant Shinde, the MP for Kalyan.