The Gaimukh-Kapurbawdi stretch of Thane Metro has completed its trial run, marking a major step towards the start of passenger services on the corridor, Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik said.
Sarnaik announced the development on social media and described the successful trial as a significant milestone for Thane. Metro operations on the route are expected to begin by December, bringing a new public transport option to several rapidly developing parts of the city.
The corridor is expected to benefit residents of Gaimukh, Kasarvadavali, Waghbil, Manpada, Tiku Ji Ni Wadi, Dongripada, Vijay Garden and Kapurbawdi, among other neighbourhoods.
Faster Alternative for Thane Commuters
The Metro link is expected to reduce dependence on congested roads and provide commuters with a faster and safer alternative for travelling across Thane.
Sarnaik said expediting major infrastructure projects such as the Metro is essential to support Thane’s continued urban growth and improve everyday mobility for citizens.
According to the minister, the project could also help strengthen the city’s wider public transport network by offering a more efficient connection between residential areas and important destinations.
The completion of the trial run comes at a time when Thane is experiencing rising traffic volumes, increasing pressure on its existing road and public transport systems.
If passenger operations begin as planned, the route could provide significant relief to commuters from the northern and western parts of the city, while encouraging greater use of public transport.
Opposition to Internal Ring Metro Route
The latest Metro development comes amid protests over another proposed project — the Thane Internal Ring Metro.
Several hundred residents recently staged a demonstration demanding that authorities restore the originally planned alignment. The protest began in Swatantryaveer Savarkar Nagar, where residents held a public meeting and launched a signature campaign.
A human chain was subsequently formed between Aai Mataji Chowk and the Lokmanya Nagar TMT Depot.
Residents have opposed the revised route, which is proposed to pass through areas including Lokmanya TMT Depot, Aai Mata Temple, Korus Road, Vartak Nagar Naka and Shastri Nagar.
Protesters have raised concerns over the possible felling of a large number of trees, displacement of thousands of residents and additional traffic pressure resulting from the altered alignment.
They have said the movement will continue until the administration officially restores what they describe as the original, citizen-friendly route.
For Thane, the two developments underline both the growing importance of Metro infrastructure and the challenges involved in planning new mass-transit corridors through an increasingly dense urban landscape. While the Gaimukh-Kapurbawdi trial represents progress towards new services, the dispute over the Internal Ring Metro highlights the need to balance connectivity with environmental and community concerns.
Source: Mid-day
