Thane: The development blueprint for the proposed Thane station on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor was discussed at an Open Visualisation Seminar in New Delhi on October 1, with the focus on Project-SMART, aimed at creating people-centric, sustainable and connected station areas. 

The seminar was organised jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Railways and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao led the civic delegation, while CREDAI MCHI Thane representatives were led by president Sachin Mirani.

Of the 12 stations on the high-speed rail corridor, Thane, Virar, Surat and Sabarmati have been selected as model stations for comprehensive Station Area Development.

For Thane, the proposed plan envisages mapping the area surrounding the station into three buffer zones in coordination with state agencies, including MMRDA. The objective is to integrate last-mile connectivity with commercial, retail and residential development.

Private participation was a key focus of the seminar, with CREDAI MCHI Thane invited to represent the local development sector. Mirani, a panellist, shared suggestions on sustainable development of the station precinct, including the need for clear Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) regulations, easier commercial development and infrastructure supporting walk-to-work and transit-led growth.

The initiative is expected to shape development around the station and encourage mixed-use projects. The three-zone approach is intended to facilitate coordinated development and better connectivity.

The seminar underlined that station area development would extend beyond construction of the rail station to creating connected urban neighbourhoods around it, integrating transport, housing, commerce and infrastructure.