Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on August 10, 2025, that the much-anticipated Thane Metro is on track for a trial run in September, with full operations expected by December. Speaking after inaugurating the Thane Varsha Marathon, Shinde outlined ambitious plans to revolutionize connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), promising seamless last-mile and end-to-end commute solutions.
The Thane Metro, a 29-km circular line with 22 stations under Phase 1, is being developed by the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro). “Efforts are on to conduct the trial run in September. After that, we’re working to launch actual services by December. The work is progressing on a war-footing,” Shinde stated. He also revealed that preliminary work on Thane’s internal metro network has begun, which will integrate with main metro lines to create a cohesive transport system across the MMR.
This announcement aligns with earlier developments, as the trial run for Metro Line 9, connecting Kashigaon to Dahisar East, was flagged off on June 9, 2025, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde. The 11.4-km elevated corridor, part of the broader MMR metro network, is expected to enhance connectivity to Mira-Bhayandar and reduce travel times significantly.
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Shinde also addressed broader infrastructure goals, highlighting the Mumbai-Thane freeway extension to alleviate traffic congestion and divert heavy vehicles to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), bypassing urban areas. He emphasized that the collector, municipal chief, and police commissioner have been tasked with making Thane traffic jam-free, asserting, “Soon, Thane will be free from traffic woes.”
Beyond transportation, Shinde celebrated local development milestones, including the restoration of Jogila Lake, previously encroached by 250 huts. “This is perhaps the first project in India where a lake has been fully restored and encroachments removed,” he said, crediting the relocation of residents for the lake’s revival.
The Thane Varsha Marathon, organized by the Thane Municipal Corporation with sports organizations, drew over 25,000 participants, reflecting the city’s vibrant community spirit. Shinde also lauded Shiv Sena leader Chandrahar Patil and his Kolhapur team for their patriotic blood donation drive for soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a “true reflection of national love.”
As Thane gears up for its metro transformation, Shinde’s vision promises a future of enhanced mobility and urban progress, with the city poised to become a model of integrated infrastructure.
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