Thane commuters witnessed a milestone in the city’s urban transit development as the first test run of a 10-kilometre section of Metro Line 4 was successfully conducted on Monday, September 22. The trial, spanning the stretch between Cadbury Junction and Kasarvadavali, marks a crucial step toward full commissioning of Thane’s new rapid transit corridor, designed to ease traffic congestion and enhance regional connectivity.
Officials from the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation highlighted that the 35.20-kilometre Metro 4 and 4A lines will significantly improve mobility between Mumbai and Thane, linking key hubs including Wadala, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Kasarvadavali, and Gaimukh. The initiative is expected to benefit daily commuters, students, and working professionals by providing faster, more reliable access to commercial centres, industrial zones, and educational institutions. Experts emphasised that beyond transport efficiency, the new metro corridors will catalyse economic and social development in the region. “Integrated metro connectivity can reduce reliance on personal vehicles, lowering emissions and contributing to more sustainable urban living,” said a senior transport official. Urban planners noted that Metro 4 is strategically designed to provide a gender-neutral, safe, and equitable commuting option for all sections of society, aligning with broader city sustainability goals.
The ongoing development includes a forthcoming stretch between Gaimukh and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, aimed at alleviating chronic congestion on Ghodbunder Road, one of Thane’s busiest arteries. Civil and transport engineers overseeing the project highlighted the importance of this segment in ensuring seamless travel across the city’s eastern and western suburbs while supporting the integration of feeder bus networks for last-mile connectivity. Metro officials further noted that the full operationalisation of Line 4 will complement existing public transport infrastructure, including buses and shared mobility services. By enabling commuters to shift from private vehicles to mass transit, the project is expected to reduce traffic bottlenecks, lower carbon emissions, and create a more environmentally sustainable urban mobility framework.
The successful test run is a signal of Thane’s commitment to modern, efficient, and technologically advanced transport systems. Planners stressed that continuous monitoring and adaptive project management will be crucial as Metro 4 moves closer to full operational readiness, ensuring that residents experience not only convenience but also safety and reliability in daily travel. As Thane positions itself as a forward-looking urban hub, Metro Line 4 represents a transformative step toward equitable and sustainable city transport. The corridor promises to strengthen the city’s economic, social, and environmental fabric, delivering a blueprint for future transit-oriented development in the Mumbai metropolitan region.
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