The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation has moved a step closer to delivering the Thane Integrated Ring Metro Project by awarding a major contract for the construction of a 20.5-kilometre elevated viaduct. The package, valued at ₹1,415 crore, has been secured by a joint venture of two infrastructure firms through an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) framework. Officials expect the contract to accelerate momentum on a project positioned as a backbone of future urban mobility in the rapidly expanding metropolitan region.
he work includes building the elevated metro corridor between the underground ramp and Balkum Naka, along with the depot access and three complex spans that require specialised engineering. According to project officials, the EPC mode was chosen to ensure faster execution, tighter coordination, and cost predictability critical factors for a project intended to reduce road congestion and transition Thane towards cleaner, high-capacity public transport. The joint venture, in which one partner holds a 40 per cent share and the other 60 per cent, was selected as the lowest bidder after a multi-stage evaluation process. Market analysts note that such partnerships are becoming common in large metro contracts as they allow companies to combine engineering strengths and financial capacity, particularly for viaduct packages that require precision construction and careful integration into dense city landscapes.
A senior metro official said the 36-month execution timeline reflects the state’s urgency to advance sustainable transport infrastructure that can support projected growth in Thane’s urban footprint. The ring metro is expected to improve last-mile access, reduce vehicle emissions, and enhance overall travel reliability for residents across the district. “This corridor will shape the next decade of mobility planning in Thane,” the official added.Beyond mobility, urban planners argue that the corridor could influence land values, stimulate transit-oriented development, and strengthen the shift towards low-carbon urban planning models. By offering an alternative to road-based commuting, the metro is likely to reduce pressure on existing arterial routes and contribute to long-term climate resilience goals for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Industry experts also emphasise that integrating sustainability into construction through materials optimisation, efficient logistics, and minimal disruption to surrounding communities should remain central to execution. “Metro projects today are not only transport interventions but opportunities to build more equitable and environmentally conscious cities,” a transport researcher noted. As construction advances, the project will continue to undergo scrutiny over timelines, safety standards, and community impact.However, officials maintain that timely delivery of the viaduct segment will be crucial for unlocking subsequent phases of the ring corridor.The Thane Integrated Ring Metro, once completed, is expected to provide a more inclusive, low-emission mobility ecosystem for one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing districts and lay the foundation for a more connected, accessible, and climate-forward urban future.
Thane Metro Awards Major Viaduct Contract Worth Rupees Fourteen Hundred Fifteen Crore
