STN: The Thane Metro Rail Project has moved a step forward. Six civil engineering firms have submitted bids for the first civil work contract under Package C-01. The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro) opened the technical bids this week.
The Thane Metro will cover 29 km with 22 stations. Out of these, 20 stations will be elevated and 2 will be underground. The Union Cabinet approved the project in August 2024. The deadline for completion is 2029. The estimated cost is ₹12,200 crore.
Scope of Package C-01
The first civil work package focuses on building the metro’s core structure. It includes:
- Construction of 20.527 km of elevated viaduct
- Depot-line connection to Kasarvadavali Depot
- Three special spans crossing Mumbai Metro Line-4 (Green Line) and Line-5 (Orange Line)
Station construction will be covered under separate tenders, which are yet to be announced.
Firms Competing for the Contract
Six companies are in the race to win the C-01 contract of the Thane Metro Rail Project. These include:
- Afcons Infrastructure Ltd.
- G R Infraprojects Ltd. (GRIL)
- J Kumar Infraprojects Ltd. (JKIL)
- Kalpataru Projects International Ltd. (KPIL)
- Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T)
- Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL)
MahaMetro will first carry out technical evaluation. This process may take a few months. Once completed, the financial bids will be opened. The lowest bidder will then be selected as the construction partner.
Connectivity and Integration
The Thane Metro Rail Project will connect with other transport networks, such as:
- Mumbai Metro Line-4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali)
- Mumbai Metro Line-5 (Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan)
- Thane suburban railway
Its ring-shaped design will provide 360-degree connectivity. It will link business hubs, residential clusters, and transport nodes. This is expected to reduce congestion on main roads and promote transit-oriented development.
Planned stations will serve areas like Manpada, Waghbil, Balkum, Majiwada, Kasarvadavali, and Thane Railway Station.
What Lies Ahead
Once the C-01 contract is awarded, MahaMetro will issue more tenders. These will cover station construction, depot works, and underground sections.
The execution period for the package is set at 30 months. Timely land acquisition and contractor performance will play a key role in meeting deadlines.
The Thane Metro is set to transform mobility in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The progress on this first civil contract will determine the pace of the entire project.
FAQs on Thane Metro Rail Project
A: The project is being funded through a mix of central government support, state government contributions, and external funding agencies.
A: The metro will operate with modern, air-conditioned coaches designed for high passenger capacity and comfort.
A: By connecting residential areas, business hubs, and railway stations, it will shift a large number of daily commuters from road traffic to metro rail.
A: Yes. Its ring design allows smooth integration with future metro corridors planned for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
A: Construction will begin once the financial bid process is complete and the contract is awarded. Work is expected to start within the next few months.
