Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday inaugurated a major traffic decongestion project at Teen Hath Naka, one of Thane’s busiest road intersections, as part of a broader initiative to improve urban mobility and reduce congestion across the city.
Teen Hath Naka serves as a critical junction where traffic from seven directions converges, often leading to long queues and delays during peak hours. According to officials, the project has been planned with assistance from European urban infrastructure consultants and aims to streamline traffic movement through scientific planning and modern engineering solutions.
The project also includes comprehensive mapping of underground infrastructure, such as water pipelines, gas lines and fuel networks, to minimise disruptions during construction and ensure efficient execution.
Once completed, the redevelopment is expected to reduce waiting times at the intersection significantly. Authorities estimate that traffic signal delays, currently among the highest in the region, will be brought down to nearly 15 seconds, benefiting commuters travelling towards Mumbai, Nashik, Naupada, Wagle Estate, Kopri and the upcoming Thane railway station.
Addressing officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), Shinde emphasised the need to expedite infrastructure works.
He said projects should not be delayed due to ceremonial inaugurations and urged authorities to accelerate execution so that public infrastructure can be delivered on time.
Shinde also reviewed several major connectivity projects, including the Thane Coastal Road and the Eastern Freeway Extension. An elevated corridor has been proposed to link the Eastern Freeway extension from Kheda Nagar through Anand Nagar, Saket, Gaimukh and Fountain Hotel, creating an alternative route for traffic arriving from Ahmedabad, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) and Mumbai.
Officials said the bypass corridor is expected to ease congestion on internal roads while helping reduce vehicular emissions.
Meanwhile, work on the Thane-Borivali twin tunnel beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is progressing. Once operational, the project is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from 90–120 minutes to approximately 20 minutes.
Authorities also highlighted progress on Thane’s proposed Pod Taxi network and the city’s upcoming 900-bed super-speciality civic hospital, which will feature an integrated helipad for air ambulance services. Together, these projects are expected to strengthen Thane’s transport and healthcare infrastructure while supporting its long-term urban development.
Source: Mid-day
