A long-pending proposal to construct a new suburban railway station between Thane and Mulund has received in-principle approval from the Ministry of Railways, providing a major boost to efforts aimed at easing congestion on the busy Central Railway corridor.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw communicated the approval to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis through an official letter. Fadnavis later shared the development on social media, stating that the proposed station would improve suburban rail connectivity and make commuting smoother across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The upcoming station is expected to benefit commuters travelling from key areas including Ghodbunder Road, Pokhran Road and Wagle Estate. Authorities believe the project will substantially reduce passenger pressure at both Thane and Mulund railway stations, which currently witness heavy daily footfall.
According to estimates, the new station could reduce passenger congestion at Thane station by nearly 31%, while easing crowding at Mulund station by approximately 24%. More than six lakh commuters currently use Thane station every day, making the proposed station an important decongestion initiative for the Central Railway network.
The project was first proposed in 2019 and will be implemented jointly by Central Railway and Thane Smart City Limited. While the Railways will undertake construction of tracks, platforms and core railway infrastructure, Thane Smart City Limited will develop surrounding facilities and passenger amenities.
The proposed station will feature modern infrastructure, including parking facilities, deck areas and a bus terminus, with a strong focus on improving last-mile connectivity for commuters.
Project costs have also risen considerably over the years. Initially estimated at around Rs 120 crore, the revised cost is now expected to exceed Rs 245 crore.
The station is proposed to be built on nearly 14.83 acres of land previously reserved for the Thane Mental Hospital, which was transferred to the Railways in 2023 following approval from the Bombay High Court.
In March 2026, the Thane Municipal Corporation passed a unanimous resolution proposing that the station be named after late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe.
Following the preliminary approval, Central Railway will now prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) along with revised cost estimates before the project moves towards final approval and execution.
Source: NavShakti
