Thane Integral Ring Metro: Soil Stability Tests Underway For Rs 12,200 Crore Project To Determine Final Route Alignment

Nearly a month after the Union cabinet approved the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project, a team of experts is set to embark on a critical soil stability test along the project's 29km route.

This testing phase is designed to help finalise the corridor's alignment with greater precision, according to Maha Metro officials.

A series of geo-technical investigations will be carried out by Renuka Consultants, a Mumbai-based firm renowned for its extensive experience in Metro Detailed Project Report (DPR) works. "The company will oversee soil testing and analysis at their National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited laboratory," said Dr Yogini Deshpande, Technical Director at Renuka Consultants.

The investigations will assess geological conditions, including soil and rock types, to guide the design of piers and determine the maximum depth for laying underground tubes. The study will also address the challenge of identifying existing utility lines beneath the surface.

Maha Metro emphasised the importance of this study. The underground section, spanning 2-3km and including two stations in Thane, will navigate through a densely populated area of old residential buildings in Naupada, according to Times Of India report. The elevated sections of the route will traverse multiple flyovers and existing metro lines, including those at Ghodbunder Road and the Mumbai-Nashik Highway.

The project, which has been in the planning stages for seven years, was originally under the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) but has since been transferred to Maha Metro for execution.

Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project

The 29-km corridor will run along the periphery of west side of Thane city with 22 Stations. The network is encompassed by Ulhas River on one side and Sanjay Gandhi National Park on the other. The estimated cost of project is Rs 12,200 crore.

The funding for initiative will be equally shared between the government of India and the government of Maharashtra, complemented by part-funding from bilateral agencies. Additionally, the project will explore innovative financing methods such as station naming and access rights for corporates, asset monetisation, and value capture financing, according to Maha Metro.

This new metro corridor aims to connect major business hubs, offering a vital transportation solution for a substantial workforce. The project is expected to be completed by 2029, with projections indicating a substantial increase in daily ridership.

Studies predict that the metro corridors are anticipated to serve 6.47 lakh passengers daily by 2029, with numbers rising to 7.61 lakh by 2035 and reaching 8.72 lakh by 2045.