Thane’s Urban Transformation: Saffron Stronghold Faces Strained Infrastructure and Planning Issues | – Times of India
Thane: The Thane assembly constituency, once dominated by Marathi-speaking residents, has transformed into a cosmopolitan hub with highrises towering from amo-ng the quaint residential enclaves. This transformation has also ushered in a plethora of urban challenges, including strained and inadequate civic facilities, a lack of open spaces, and traffic congestion, among others, locals say.
The voter demographic comprises a largely Marathi and Gujarati population within the old Thane city limits, with the native Agri-Koli gaothans confined to the fringe areas of Kolshet. Meanwhile, the Ghodbunder Road pockets are primarily a cosmopolitan hub. A limited, but notable, Muslim-dominated pocket of Rabodi and Charai, with a distinct Christian community presence, is also part of the constituency.
The constituency hosts some of the toniest localities of the city, including parts of Ghodbunder Road and Naupada. Nonetheless, it faces some of the most common problems plaguing other parts of the city and suburbs, including rampant property redevelopment works and increasing private vehicular traffic volume that fails to fit into the available infrastructure that already has limited scope for expansion. Open space is also a prominent issue plaguing this assembly constituency.
“The infrastructure in old Thane is crumbling due to reckless development happening with scant regard. The roads were widened, but there is an influx of vehicles which adds to the congestion. The planners are creating more problems by constructing flyovers and parking spaces in congested areas instead of strengthening the public tra-nsport system. There needs to be state intervention and a cap on real estate exploitation of congested areas which cannot withstand any further load on existing amenities,” said social activist Dr Mahesh Bedekar from Naupada.
Activist Chandrahas Tawade says inter-city transportation and traffic is unarguably one of the most pressing issues, as there are no alternative and faster roads to connect the city with Mumbai and even the western suburbs. “It takes a lot of time to cross over from the city, especially Ghodbunder Road, due to overlapping outbound traffic. The state govt has announced the extension of the Freeway and the Mumbai Coastal Road, but we need our elected representative to follow up with the state on the same,” he said.
Kolshet Road resident Suyog Marathe has pushed for more open spaces and green patches within the city, considering the quality of air in the region could be a serious threat for the future. “We need to ensure that the much-delayed Metro work is executed on a priority, which will not just solve the transportation issue but also reduce the traffic-related air pollution which is choking the city,” he said.
Meanwhile, observers say the fight for the Thane seat—politically considered to be a saffron stronghold—has become interesting with the MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP pitted against each other, raising speculations of a slender margin for the winning candidate.
“The traditional Marathi-Gujarati votes could possibly be divided between the three candidates within the old city area, while the MVA could hold sway, especially in the minority-dominated belt of Rabodi and even Charai. The Ghodbunder Road enclaves may sway towards BJP or MNS, which is fast making inroads here. It will be interesting to watch who claims the seat after the changed political dynamics since 2019,” said a political observer.
The voter demographic comprises a largely Marathi and Gujarati population within the old Thane city limits, with the native Agri-Koli gaothans confined to the fringe areas of Kolshet. Meanwhile, the Ghodbunder Road pockets are primarily a cosmopolitan hub. A limited, but notable, Muslim-dominated pocket of Rabodi and Charai, with a distinct Christian community presence, is also part of the constituency.
The constituency hosts some of the toniest localities of the city, including parts of Ghodbunder Road and Naupada. Nonetheless, it faces some of the most common problems plaguing other parts of the city and suburbs, including rampant property redevelopment works and increasing private vehicular traffic volume that fails to fit into the available infrastructure that already has limited scope for expansion. Open space is also a prominent issue plaguing this assembly constituency.
“The infrastructure in old Thane is crumbling due to reckless development happening with scant regard. The roads were widened, but there is an influx of vehicles which adds to the congestion. The planners are creating more problems by constructing flyovers and parking spaces in congested areas instead of strengthening the public tra-nsport system. There needs to be state intervention and a cap on real estate exploitation of congested areas which cannot withstand any further load on existing amenities,” said social activist Dr Mahesh Bedekar from Naupada.
Activist Chandrahas Tawade says inter-city transportation and traffic is unarguably one of the most pressing issues, as there are no alternative and faster roads to connect the city with Mumbai and even the western suburbs. “It takes a lot of time to cross over from the city, especially Ghodbunder Road, due to overlapping outbound traffic. The state govt has announced the extension of the Freeway and the Mumbai Coastal Road, but we need our elected representative to follow up with the state on the same,” he said.
Kolshet Road resident Suyog Marathe has pushed for more open spaces and green patches within the city, considering the quality of air in the region could be a serious threat for the future. “We need to ensure that the much-delayed Metro work is executed on a priority, which will not just solve the transportation issue but also reduce the traffic-related air pollution which is choking the city,” he said.
Meanwhile, observers say the fight for the Thane seat—politically considered to be a saffron stronghold—has become interesting with the MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP pitted against each other, raising speculations of a slender margin for the winning candidate.
“The traditional Marathi-Gujarati votes could possibly be divided between the three candidates within the old city area, while the MVA could hold sway, especially in the minority-dominated belt of Rabodi and even Charai. The Ghodbunder Road enclaves may sway towards BJP or MNS, which is fast making inroads here. It will be interesting to watch who claims the seat after the changed political dynamics since 2019,” said a political observer.
