The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has clarified that the ongoing concretisation and service road integration works along the busy Ghodbunder Road will not be completed by December 2025, as earlier claimed by the state’s transport department. Instead, the project’s completion timeline has been extended to February 2026, according to the civic administration.
The announcement came after the state transport minister stated that residents of Ghodbunder Road would soon experience congestion-free travel, with major works concluding by the end of December. However, the Thane Municipal Commissioner responded that while substantial progress had been achieved, it would be “unrealistic” to promise completion within the next two months. The ₹560-crore project involves merging the 10.5-kilometre-long service road with the main Ghodbunder corridor between Kapurbawdi and Gaimukh, with the aim of easing chronic traffic congestion. The initiative forms a key part of Thane’s larger urban mobility upgrade, which also includes metro construction and road-widening projects.
Officials said that although major civil works would likely be wrapped up by December, several finishing and alignment-related tasks—including drainage improvement, signage installation, and landscaping—would require additional time. “We do not wish to project unrealistic deadlines,” a senior civic official said, adding that “February 2026 is a practical target for full completion.” Traffic police authorities have confirmed that congestion along the Ghodbunder stretch remains severe due to the partial closure of lanes for construction and ongoing metro work in adjoining zones. Only one service lane is operational at several points, causing morning and late-night bottlenecks. Heavy vehicles moving through Gaimukh Ghat after 3 a.m. often worsen the gridlock, leading to long clearance times that stretch into peak commuting hours.
The TMC and traffic department have coordinated short-term mitigation measures, including the deployment of additional personnel, revised signal timing, and staggered work scheduling to ease congestion. However, urban mobility experts note that a more integrated approach—linking the metro, road, and service infrastructure—is essential to sustainably manage traffic in Thane’s expanding suburbs. “The Ghodbunder corridor is crucial for connecting Thane to Mira-Bhayandar and the western suburbs. While infrastructure upgrades are necessary, coordination among multiple agencies is equally critical to prevent recurring delays,” an urban planner observed.
Once completed, the concretisation and lane integration project is expected to enhance road durability, improve stormwater drainage, and reduce travel time for thousands of commuters daily. For now, residents will have to endure a few more months of congestion as the city works toward long-term, climate-resilient mobility solutions.
Thane Commissioner Extends Ghodbunder Road Work Deadline To February 2026
