This may resolve the commute woes of Thanekars who often travel in over-crowded public transport
An inland water transport system may soon be a reality in Thane region as the Centre has announced funds of Rs 1,000 crore for the same. The amount will be disbursed in phases and the first installment of Rs 500 crore is likely to be approved in February.
This may resolve the commute woes of Thanekars who often travel in over-crowded public transport.
In an important development, the union transport minister announced funds for inland water transport (IWT) in Thane. "Nitin Gadkari informed us that Rs 500 crore of the total Rs 1,000 crore has been allotted for IWT in Thane," said Rajan Vichare, member of parliament from Thane.
The first installment of the funds will be used to develop the first phase of the 52.5-km of IWT. This will cover the route of Vasai-Mira Bhayandar-Thane-Nagla Bunder-Kolshet-Kasheli-Anjurdiva-Parsik-Dombivli (Thakurli).
The proposal for this IWT was presented to the minister by Vichare and TMC Commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal almost a year ago. It has finally taken shape due to the efforts of Jaiswal and Vichare. "This makes Thane the first municipal corporation to propose IWT and make use of the creek to connect all the other corporations like Dombivli, Kalyan, Mira Bhayandar," says Vichare.
"Yes, there has been this announcement for IWT from the Center and the amount will be approved next month," confirmed Jaiswal.
The ambitious IWT project will lessen the hardships of citizens residing in Thane, Dombivli, Kalyan and Mira Bhayandar who currently depend on the congested railway network. They often risk their lives and commute using the railways to reach their destination. This is also expected to reduce their travel time by 40 per cent while commuting to and from these places.
"If I have to commute from Thane to Mira Road by bus or auto rickshaw, it takes me almost one to one-and-a-half hours. But I have read that IWT will easily lessen my commute time," says Vinayak Jadhav from Naupada, Thane.
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 "Inland Water Transport")
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