The paper trail for Thane Metro has begun moving, and the construction is likely to commence in 2021, an official report has said.

Maha Metro, a 50:50 joint venture between the central and state governments, has submitted a detailed report to the Thane Municipal Corporation concerning the project. 

The detailed project report (DPR) concerns a 29-km-long Metro corridor in Thane city that will comprise an elevated route for 26 km and an underground route for 3 km. 

In all, 22 stations — 20 elevated and two underground stations — have been proposed under the project which entails a total investment of Rs 10,500 crore. 

The construction is expected to commence in 2021 and should be complete by 2025, officials said. 

The rail corridor is expected to ease traffic congestion and passenger movement to a great extent in Thane. 

Maha Metro has projected a daily ridership of 5.76 lakh in 2025, 7.61 lakh by 2035 and 8.72 lakh by 2045 for the route. 

The company is currently developing Metro projects in Nagpur and Pune cities.

A Thane municipal official told DNA, “Of the Rs 10,500 crore, Rs 5,100 crore will be raised by lending agencies such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and German government-owned development bank KfW. Rs 1,700 crore will be raised by the Government of India and TMC’s internal resources each. As far as the balance Rs 2,000 crore is concerned, it is the value of land already earmarked in the Thane Development Plan.’’ 

He said that TMC will soon forward the DPR to the state government for its consent.

The Thane Metro Rail Project was conceived keeping in mind the ever-rising population and rapid urbanisation in the Mumbai conurbation. 

As per 2011 census, Thane city is the 16th most populated in the country, with about 18.9 lakh people currently. Its projected population for 2025, 2035 and 2045 is 27.34 lakh, 34.99 lakh and 39.45 lakh respectively.

TRACKS TO BE ABOVE AND BELOW GROUND

• Of the total 29-km-long Metro route in Thane, 26 km will be elevated and the remaining 3 km will be underground, considering traffic congestion near Thane railway station  
• Daily ridership of Thane Metro is expected to be around 5.76 lakh in 2025, 7.61 lakh by 2035 and 8.72 lakh by 2045, Maha Metro has said in its report