With civic elections on the horizon, the spotlight in Thane has turned to the city's persistent infrastructural and civic woes. Residents and activists are demanding concrete solutions from political parties on a range of issues, from erratic water supply to choked roads and inadequate healthcare. While party manifestos are still awaited, these concerns are set to dominate public discourse and significantly influence voter decisions.
Critical Infrastructure Gaps: Water and Health
Water scarcity remains a pressing issue for Thane's population of nearly 25 lakh. Despite drawing around 590 million liters per day (MLD) from various sources, the supply falls short for a majority of households in both the city and its suburbs. Frequent shutdowns and repair works force residents, from low-income settlements to upscale societies along Ghodbunder Highway, to depend on expensive private water tankers. A resident emphasized the urgent need, stating, "The city desperately needs a dedicated water source to cater to its future needs."
Healthcare infrastructure is another major pain point. Many areas lack adequate facilities, compelling residents to travel to neighboring cities like Kalyan-Dombivli or to Thane city and Kalwa for tertiary care. Rohidas Munde, a Shiv Sena UBT functionary from Diva, pointed out that despite approved plans, work on a proposed hospital in Diva has not begun. Additionally, while the municipal corporation has announced a plan to tackle the stray dog menace scientifically, activist Satyajit Shah has called for its prompt and efficient implementation.
Transport, Congestion, and Encroachments
Commuters report a noticeable increase in travel time within the city limits compared to previous years. Activist Shashi Kumar Nair from Manpada identifies the root cause: "The lack of adequate public parking spots near prominent areas and illegal parking along arterial roads is the primary reason." He advocates for a proper roadside parking policy and its timely execution to tackle this menace.
Public transportation is struggling to keep pace with the city's rapid expansion. Several developing areas, particularly Ghodbunder, suffer from poor bus frequency. Passenger activist Rafique Shaikh from Mumbra highlights the need for improved services connecting Mumbra, Diva suburbs, and Thane city with Mumbai, which would reduce dependency on the overburdened railway network.
Illegal constructions and encroachments continue to plague public spaces. Activist Nitin Deshpande calls for freeing Thane's footpaths from obstructions like parked vehicles, electrical poles, and stalls, including the removal of political banners that pose safety and environmental risks. Residents also demand a robust policy to curb illegal constructions, which deprive legitimate taxpayers of their share in civic amenities like water supply.
Environment, Recreation, and Civic Management
The city's green cover is under threat from numerous developmental projects, raising alarms among experts. A recent study linked the rising temperature in Thane to the increasing ratio of concrete structures. In response, the administration is considering measures like promoting terrace gardening, while activists urge for more concerted conservation efforts.
Despite the opening of spaces like NaMo Central Park and Oxygen Parks, residents argue that recreational areas are insufficient for a growing city. Many existing parks and grounds are inadequate. Citizen activist Kasber Augustine states, "There are several reserved plots for playgrounds and parks in the city that need to be cleared of encroachments and made available for common public use."
Solid waste management remains a chronic problem, with frequent disruptions reported, especially this year, allegedly due to the absence of a dedicated system. While the administration encourages large housing societies to reduce dependency on civic machinery, residents believe a policy offering incentives could drive meaningful change.
Air quality is another concern. Despite official statistics claiming good air, residents regularly complain of pollution from vehicular emissions and construction dust. Residents like Anubha Sahai of Hiranandani Estate have repeatedly raised the issue with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and are now awaiting a concrete roadmap from political parties on how to address it.
As election campaigns intensify, how political parties address these multifaceted civic challenges will be crucial in winning the trust of Thane's electorate.
