Thane Coastal Road: A New Artery for Urban Mobility

By Ajjay Bhagyakar | Published by Griha Realty Source: X.com (@TheINIofficial) and public domain reports

Source: X.com (@TheINIofficial)

The Thane region is witnessing a major infrastructure transformation with the launch of the Thane Coastal Road project, a 13.45 km, six-lane corridor being executed by Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. The project begins at Kharegaon Naka on the Mumbai–Nashik Highway and extends up to Gaimukh on Ghodbunder Road. Once completed, it will directly link to the upcoming Gaimukh–Fountain Hotel Tunnel, offering an alternate and faster route for thousands of daily commuters.

Designed to decongest the highly choked Ghodbunder Road, the Thane Coastal Road is expected to reshape regional connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The alignment also includes several bridges and elevated sections that will connect the corridor with the Virar–Alibaug Multimodal Corridor (VAMC) across the creek — a move that will integrate Thane with the western and southern growth corridors of Maharashtra.

According to the Maharashtra government’s recent progress updates, Navayuga Engineering has achieved remarkable early momentum. Despite being mobilised only a few months ago, the firm has already begun critical civil works, including viaduct foundations and approach roads. The project, estimated to cost around ₹3,300 crore, has a targeted completion timeline of May 2028, though sections may open in phases.

When operational, the Thane Coastal Road will drastically cut travel time between the eastern and western ends of the city and divert heavy vehicles away from residential areas. For Thane’s fast-growing suburbs — including Balkum, Kolshet, Kasarvadavali, and Bhayanderpada — it will mean smoother connectivity, cleaner air, and an uplift in property values. Urban experts view the project as a critical complement to the Mumbai Coastal Road and the Atal Setu (MTHL), expanding the coastal transport grid around Mumbai.

From an urban-planning standpoint, the project is not without challenges. Its alignment crosses sensitive coastal and mangrove zones, requiring Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and environmental clearances. The Maharashtra Maritime Board and the Thane Municipal Corporation are jointly overseeing compliance to ensure sustainable execution.

The broader impact of the project extends beyond infrastructure — it symbolizes Thane’s transition from a satellite city to a self-sustaining urban hub. With expressways, tunnels, and multimodal links converging here, Thane is becoming central to MMR’s next phase of growth.

As Navayuga’s machines continue to shape the new coastline, the project stands as a testament to Maharashtra’s infrastructure vision under leadership that prioritises regional balance and economic expansion. Once completed, the Thane Coastal Road — along with the Gaimukh Tunnel and VAMC link — will redefine how Mumbai’s northern suburbs connect, commute, and grow.

—About the Author: Ajjay Bhagyakar writes on urban development, real estate, and infrastructure trends shaping the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Published by: Griha Realty News | Source: X.com (@TheINIofficial)