The Thane district administration will enforce a full-day shutdown of the Thane–Ghodbunder State Highway 84 (SH-84) on 7 December to facilitate urgent repairs on a structurally stressed stretch of the road. The move, announced by traffic authorities on Wednesday, is expected to temporarily disrupt a major intra-city connector but is being positioned as a necessary intervention to ensure long-term commuter safety and smoother mobility in the region.
According to officials, the corridor will remain completely closed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., restricting movement for both private and commercial vehicles. The decision follows a technical assessment that identified multiple points along the highway requiring immediate maintenance due to heavy traffic volume, recurring patchwork repairs, and monsoon-related wear. Officials emphasised that a single-day consolidated closure was preferred over staggered blocks to reduce repeated inconvenience for road users. To manage the expected traffic diversion, the Thane traffic department has issued a detailed rerouting plan. Vehicles will be redirected via Kasarvadavali Junction, Waghbil Road, Azad Nagar, and other internal connectors linking Ghodbunder Road with Eastern and Western suburbs. Traffic personnel will be deployed through the day to guide commuters, regulate peak-hour congestion, and ensure emergency vehicles receive uninterrupted right-of-way.
A senior traffic official noted that SH-84 carries a significant daily load, acting as a feeder route between residential pockets in Thane West and employment hubs across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. “Shutting the route even for a few hours has a cascading effect on nearby stretches. However, completing the repair in a single window will help prevent repeated closures and improve road durability for the long term,” the official said. Urban mobility experts point out that planned upgrades on regional corridors like SH-84 are crucial for improving road safety outcomes. With rising vehicular density and rapid urbanisation in Thane’s suburbs, periodic maintenance cycles are increasingly necessary to ensure reliable travel and reduce accident risks. They also emphasise the need for cities to integrate such closures into wider mobility planning so that public transport corridors, pedestrian routes, and cycling connections remain accessible without overwhelming detours.
Residents, meanwhile, have expressed concerns about the likely spike in congestion on internal roads, particularly during office hours. Local commuter groups have urged authorities to boost bus frequency and release real-time advisories through digital channels so travellers can avoid bottlenecks. Officials confirmed that updates will be shared through navigation apps and official social media handles throughout the day. While the temporary shutdown will inconvenience thousands of daily commuters, the intervention underscores the region’s broader push to strengthen transport infrastructure. Ensuring safer, more resilient roads not only supports daily mobility but also aligns with long-term goals for creating sustainable and more liveable urban environments.
Thane Shuts Ghodbunder SH84 For Full Day On December Seven As Traffic Diverts
