Eknath Shinde Says Work On Thane Metro In ‘War-Footing Mode', Announces Launch Date
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that a trial run of the long-awaited Thane Metro is scheduled for next month
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that a trial run of the long-awaited Thane Metro is scheduled for next month, with full-scale operations expected to begin by December this year.
Speaking to reporters after flagging off the Thane Varsha Marathon, Shinde said, 'Efforts are on to conduct the trial run of the Metro in Thane in September. After that, we are working on launching the actual services by December. The work is progressing on a war-footing."
He added that preliminary work on Thane's internal Metro network has already started.
'This will be linked to the main Metro lines to provide integrated transport facilities," he said, stressing that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region will soon benefit from seamless Metro connectivity, enabling last-mile and end-to-end commute solutions.
Outlining broader infrastructure initiatives, Shinde said the freeway extension from Mumbai to Thane would help ease traffic congestion and redirect port-bound traffic to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) without entering the city.
He said the district collector, municipal commissioner, and police commissioner have been tasked with making Thane traffic congestion-free. 'They are working towards it, and soon Thane city will be free from traffic jams," he asserted.
Highlighting local development work, Shinde cited the rejuvenation of Jogila Lake, which had been encroached upon by about 250 huts.
'We have relocated the people who encroached the area and freed the lake. This is perhaps the first such project in the country where a lake has been completely restored and encroachments removed," he said.
On the Thane Varsha Marathon, organised by the Thane Municipal Corporation and several sports bodies after a long break, Shinde said more than 25,000 people participated, showcasing the city's enthusiasm for public events.
He also lauded wrestler-turned-politician and Shiv Sena leader Chandrahar Patil and his Kolhapur team for travelling to border areas in Jammu and Kashmir to donate blood for soldiers. 'Their effort reflects true love for the nation," Shinde remarked.
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August 12, 2025, 07:49 IST
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