By Arosh John | Founder – John Real Estate (MahaRERA Registered) | Editor-in-Chief – Thane Real Estate News
Why Thane Needs Cluster Development
Thane’s rapid urbanisation has brought opportunities—but also challenges. Over decades, many pockets of the city have experienced haphazard growth, unauthorised constructions, and ageing buildings that no longer meet safety norms. Infrastructure such as roads, drainage, and utilities has struggled to keep pace.
Cluster redevelopment—also called the Urban Renewal Scheme (URS)—offers a way forward. Instead of piecemeal redevelopment of one building at a time, entire pockets or “clusters” are planned afresh, allowing:
- In-situ rehabilitation of existing residents in safer, legal homes.
- Adequate open spaces, roads, and social amenities.
- Sale components for developers that make projects financially viable.
- A chance to reimagine parts of Thane as modern, transit-oriented urban nodes.
What the Policy Provides
The backbone of the scheme lies in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR 2020, Regulation 14.8). It lays down:
- Eligibility: clusters of unsafe, unauthorised, or old buildings.
- Rehabilitation first: Occupancy Certificates (OCs) for new sale units can only be given after rehab OCs are granted.
- Affordable housing allocation: a share of stock is reserved for government agencies like MHADA.
- Integrated planning: URPs ensure roads, drains, and amenities are designed holistically, not as afterthoughts.
The Thane Municipal Corporation has gone further by identifying ~1,650 hectares across 49 URPs, of which ~15 URPs (~500 hectares) are prioritised in Phase-1.
Leadership and Launch
The vision of cluster redevelopment in Thane gained decisive momentum under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who formally launched the programme in June 2023. He emphasised that safer housing and holistic development of Thane were close to his heart, citing the need to protect citizens and modernise the city.
Hon’ble Eknath Shinde, now serving as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, continues to underline cluster redevelopment as a priority for Thane’s future.
Key steps since then include:
- 2023 Launch: Official rollout of the cluster redevelopment programme in Thane.
- Scale announced: ~1,500 hectares, ~45 clusters, with ~10,000 homes targeted in Phase-1.
- Institutional mechanism: Appointment of MAHAPREIT as nodal agency and creation of a dedicated SPV—Thane Cluster Development & Area Improvement Co. Ltd. (TCDAICL)—in October 2024.
- On-ground action: Tenders and RFPs floated for flagship clusters like Kisan Nagar (URP-5 & 6) and Kopri (URP-01) in 2025.
How It Will Work
Kisan Nagar (URP-5 & 6)
- Area: ~39.93 hectares
- Rehabilitation target: ~11,970 tenements
- Current status: Financing is being raised; pilot execution is underway.
Kopri (URP-01)
- Gross area: ~52.05 hectares
- Rehab designation: ~678,000 sq m
- Indicative incentive/sale potential: ~2.72 million sq m
- Status: RFP issued to appoint a Construction-cum-Development Agency.
Both these projects showcase how entire neighbourhoods—not just individual societies—will be transformed in a phased, planned manner.
Opportunities Ahead
- Safer Homes: Thousands of families in unsafe or unauthorised structures will be shifted to secure, legal apartments.
- Better Infrastructure: Wider roads, proper drainage, open spaces, and social amenities integrated into the design.
- Transit-Oriented Growth: Nodes like Kopri, right next to Thane station, will evolve into modern business and residential hubs.
- Rising Property Value: Organised redevelopment generally leads to higher valuations in surrounding areas.
Challenges to Navigate
Large-scale urban renewal comes with its own challenges—managing land records, ensuring timely execution, and maintaining residents’ trust. However, with clear rules under UDCPR, a dedicated SPV in place, and strong leadership, Thane has an opportunity to deliver redevelopment in a structured and transparent manner.
Conclusion
Cluster development is not just about replacing old buildings—it’s about rebuilding Thane’s urban fabric for the next generation. With clear regulations, institutional support through MAHAPREIT and TCDAICL, and strong government leadership, Thane is set on a path of large-scale urban renewal. The coming years will decide whether this ambitious programme becomes a model for India’s urban future.
About the Author
Arosh John is a leading realtor in Thane with over a decade of experience in resale, premium, and luxury properties across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). As the Founder of John Real Estate (MahaRERA Registered, ISO 9001:2015 Certified) and the Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News, he focuses on educating buyers, sellers, developers, and societies on secure, transparent, and progressive real estate practices.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Figures and timelines are based on official government documents, tenders, and press releases available as of September 2025. Readers are advised to confirm eligibility, entitlements, and project details with the Thane Municipal Corporation, MAHAPREIT, or TCDAICL before making any decisions. Thane Real Estate News assumes no liability for actions taken based on this article.
