Thane Municipal Corporation Unanimously Passes Resolution to Name New Station After Anand Dighe
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has taken a significant step by unanimously passing a resolution to name the upcoming railway station between Thane and Mulund after the late Shiv Sena leader 'Dharmveer' Anand Dighe. This decision, made during the general body meeting held on Wednesday, reflects the sentiments of Thane residents, according to civic officials.
Parliamentary Request and Civic Support
Earlier this week, Thane MP Naresh Mhaske formally requested the Railway Minister in Parliament to name the new station after Dighe. Following this, the issue was brought before the municipal house, where a resolution was tabled and passed without opposition. The TMC issued a statement on Thursday, coinciding with Gudi Padwa, confirming the 'resolution of appreciation' was unanimously approved.
Next Steps and Project Background
The resolution will now be forwarded to the state government for its formal approval, as stated by elected representatives. The Shiv Sena has been actively advocating for the completion of this railway station. In 2024, party MPs Shrikant Shinde and Naresh Mhaske met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, urging the railways to take over the project's execution due to the municipal corporation's financial constraints.
Cost Escalations and Project Importance
Originally approved in 2016 with an estimated cost of Rs 127 crore, the project has seen significant cost escalations, now ballooning to over Rs 250 crore. This increase threatened to delay the project indefinitely. The station is crucial for lakhs of commuters using Central Railway services and residents on the Thane-Mulund fringes. It aims to decongest the existing Thane and Mulund stations.
Station Design and Implementation Plan
As per the latest proposal, the station will feature:
- One island platform servicing two lines on the slow corridor
- One home platform for termination and start services
The railways will construct the station and allied services, while the Thane Municipal Corporation will ensure the completion of connectivity modes and necessary infrastructure, such as parking facilities outside the new station.
