By Arosh John | Founder – John Real Estate | Editor-in-Chief – Thane Real Estate News
Thane’s first revised Development Plan since 1999 is on the table—and it presents a promising vision for how we live, move, and invest over the next two decades. The Draft Revised Development Plan (DRDP) 2026–2046, released by Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) in October 2024, is a catalyst for potential growth and development, currently open to modifications before final sanction.
The Planning Horizon & Scale
The DRDP projects an objective/planning population of ~4.65 million by 2046, forming the comprehensive baseline for land use, mobility planning, and social infrastructure provisioning. This reflects Thane’s rapid transition from a satellite city to a standalone growth engine within MMR.
What Changes on the Ground
1) Zoning & Land Use: A Greener, Renewed City
The draft sets aside significant land for green and recreational spaces:
- 62 new garden sites (~51.18 Ha)
- A 23.51 Ha Botanical Garden
- 19 new park sites (~119 Ha)
- An Urban Park (~20.73 Ha)
To address congestion and unsafe housing, the plan designates 46 Urban Renewal Areas for comprehensive redevelopment and infrastructure upgrades. These areas, identified based on their current condition and potential for transformation, present significant opportunities for property developers and investors.
Additionally, the plan earmarks ~174 Ha for metro car-sheds and a 30.44 Ha Growth Centre to anchor jobs, commercial hubs, and IT-enabled services.
2) Mobility First: TOD & Transit Integration
The plan formally adopts Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) under UDCPR-2020, enabling higher densities and mixed-use projects around transit corridors.
It also strengthens Thane’s transit backbone through:
- Station Area Traffic Improvement Schemes (SATIS) to decongest the city’s busiest hubs.
- A new suburban rail station between Thane and Mulund (targeted 2025).
- Expansion of TMT bus fleet from 474 (2024) to ~666 by 2046.
3) Corridors & Roads: Unlocking Capacity
The draft DP proposes a denser road grid, improved east–west corridors, and north–south linkages to align with MMR-level projects like Metro 4, Metro 5, the Thane–Borivali tunnel, and Ghodbunder Road expansions.
4) Policy-Driven Growth: Sustainability & Resilience
The DP integrates sustainability targets, including:
- Treated Used Water (TUW) reuse rising to ~79–97 MLD by 2046 (from ~59–72 MLD today).
- Expanded urban greenery and ecological buffers.
- Stricter controls against illegal construction near SGNP and creek belts.
What It Means for Real Estate
- Transit Zones (TOD & SATIS): Higher appreciation and rentability.
- Urban Renewal Clusters: Stronger yields from redeveloped projects.
- Green & Lakefront Pockets: Livability premium drives demand.
- Employment Centres: The Growth Centre ensures housing stability.
Current Status: Draft, Not Final
The DP is still in draft form.
- Final approval is pending with TMC and the state.
- Political and civic objections highlight risks of revisions.
- Proposals may change before final notification.
Bottom Line
The Thane Development Plan 2026–2046 lays out a bold vision of a greener, denser, and transit-integrated city. For investors and end-users alike, the signal is clear: focus on transit-served, renewal-led, and amenity-rich zones—these will define Thane’s growth story for the next two decades.
CTA: Our research team tracks policy shifts—contact us for advisory on where to invest next.
About the Author
Arosh John is the Founder of John Real Estate and Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News. With over a decade of experience in Thane’s property market, he specialises in premium and luxury real estate, NRI investments, and market insights. Arosh is committed to making Thane’s real estate ecosystem more transparent, data-driven, and investor-friendly.
Disclaimer
This article is intended solely for informational purposes. The information has been compiled from official government sources and credible public records as of September 2025. The Draft Development Plan (2026–2046) is currently under review and subject to final approval, modification, or rejection by competent authorities. Readers are advised not to interpret this article as legal, investment, or financial advice. For specific transactions or decisions, professional consultation and verification of the latest official notifications are strongly recommended.
