The Thane Traffic Police has introduced fresh traffic restrictions and diversions along Ghodbunder Road as part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (MMRDA) ongoing service road merge project between Mullanbaug and Patlipada. The measures, which took effect on 4 November 2025, aim to manage congestion and ensure road safety while critical infrastructure work progresses.
According to senior officials, entry of vehicles from Nilkanth Greens towards Ghodbunder and from Thane to Nilkanth Greens via Mullabaug Bus Depot has been temporarily closed at the Mullabaug Bus Depot cut. The closures are part of MMRDA’s long-term plan to expand and streamline service roads to handle increasing vehicular load along this major arterial route. Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes via Happy Valley Circle and Manpada Junction to access both Nilkanth Greens and Ghodbunder. Vehicles travelling from Thane via the Mullabaug Bus Depot are also being redirected through Hiranandani Estate Circle to reach their destinations. Traffic officers have been deployed across key junctions to ensure smooth movement and prevent bottlenecks, particularly during peak travel hours.
The Ghodbunder corridor, one of Thane’s most heavily used roads, has been witnessing recurring congestion due to urban expansion and ongoing infrastructure upgrades. Authorities noted that the service road merge is a vital component of MMRDA’s broader mobility improvement plan, which includes widening of access points and improving last-mile connectivity. A senior traffic official said that the restrictions are temporary and will remain until the completion of the merging work. “We have prioritised emergency mobility — police, fire brigade, and ambulance vehicles will remain exempt. The goal is to balance public convenience with progress in construction,” the official said.
Local urban transport planners view the temporary inconvenience as part of a necessary transition. The road upgrade, they say, will eventually decongest Ghodbunder Road and improve the efficiency of public and private transport in Thane, which has seen exponential growth in vehicle ownership and residential density over the past decade. The Thane Traffic Department has urged commuters to plan their travel accordingly, use alternative routes, and follow signages placed at diversion points. Officials have also requested patience and cooperation from citizens, underlining that such interventions are crucial for building safer and more sustainable road networks in rapidly urbanising regions like Thane.
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