‘Taking Thane to a safer, smarter, and more sustainabile future’
November 2025
Saurabh Rao, IAS, Municipal Commissioner of Thane Municipal Corporation, joins us in part 1 of his interview to discuss redevelopment in Thane. Here’s what he has to say in conversation with Kamlesh Pandya, Consulting Editor at THANE REALTY NEWS
What are your observations on the current redevelopment trends in Thane's real estate market, and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
A : Thane is witnessing a major transformation through redevelopment — it’s reshaping the city’s real estate landscape.
Massive Urban Renewal: The older core areas of Thane are undergoing large-scale redevelopment and reconstruction, enabled by UDCPR 2020, which has created new opportunities for vertical growth and better amenities.
Expanding Redevelopment Zones: The trend is now spreading toward extended suburbs like Ghodbunder Road and Vartak Nagar, expected to see major renewal activity over the next 5–10 years.
Future Outlook: Redevelopment will increasingly cluster around transit corridors and metro hubs, focusing on high-density, mixed-use, and sustainable neighborhoods with smart infrastructure and modern amenities.
How does TMC facilitate and regulate redevelopment projects in Thane, and what are the key considerations for approving such projects?
A: TMC’s role is to make redevelopment faster, transparent, and aligned with Thane’s long-term vision.
Progressive Planning & Amenities: As a planning authority, TMC has introduced people-centric norms — wider access roads, adequate parking, telecom rooms, and amenities like creches, drivers’ rooms, and society offices — making projects more livable and future-ready.
Faster, Transparent Approvals: With BPMS and Auto DCR online systems, project approvals now take under two weeks, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and ease of doing business.
Regulation & Compliance: Redevelopment proposals are reviewed for infrastructure capacity, safety, environmental impact, and service provision, while strict enforcement ensures quality, legal compliance, and alignment with Thane’s Development Plan 2046.
Reviving Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has undertaken the Cluster Development to rejuvenate and redevelop densely built and deteriorated areas within the city. This initiative aims to create a sustainable and well-planned urban environment by integrating fragmented and unorganized plots into planned clusters. Through this model, TMC seeks to promote comprehensive redevelopment, improve infrastructure and public amenities, and provide safe, affordable housing to residents living in unsafe and unliveable structures. The cluster development approach also facilitates efficient land use, wider road networks, green open spaces, ultimately enhancing Thane’s urban liveability, resilience, and future growth potential.
What are the challenges and opportunities associated with redevelopment in Thane, and how is TMC addressing these?
A: Redevelopment in Thane comes with real challenges — but also big opportunities to reshape the city.
Key Challenges: Smaller plot sizes in the old city, legacy infrastructure gaps, increasing % of unauthorised buildings and the need to match civic upgrades with fast-paced redevelopment remain major hurdles. Amalgamation of plots and better planning coordination can help overcome these.
Opportunities Ahead: Redevelopment offers a chance to renew old housing stock, introduce modern, inclusive living, and promote compact, transit-oriented growth aligned with Thane’s long-term vision.
TMC is addressing these by strengthening enforcement, upgrading roads and drainage, and ensuring redevelopment aligns with infrastructure capacity and citizen needs.
Implementation of Urban Renewal Scheme will turn the deteriorated, unhealthy areas into planned neighbourhoods with efficient infrastructural facilities focusing on improving Quality of Life.
Your concluding remarks on redevelopment in Thane
A: Redevelopment is redefining Thane’s growth. With clear policies, faster approvals, and citizen-focused planning, TMC is steering the city toward a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future.
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Mr. Saurabh Rao
IAS
Municipal Commissioner of
Thane Municipal Corporation
Source: Thane Realty News
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