Thane Corporators Demand ‘Field Action’ to Fix TMT

Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao recently presented a budget of 6,221 crore rupees to Mayor Sharmila Pimpalkar. Corporators suggested prioritising passenger-oriented services and land plot commercialisation. Participating in this debate, Anil Bhor presented an analysis, stating that the transport service is meant for public service, not just profit. He emphasised that officials must go out on the roads to inspect routes, reduce services on loss-making routes, and increase frequency where there is a higher passenger demand.

Suggestions were made to boost revenue. They included commercialisation of 18 to 18 TMT-owned plots and leasing them out to make the transport wing self-sufficient, and coordination with IT centers in Wagle Estate to provide dedicated morning and evening bus services for employees.

CNG pumps must be set up on vacant TMT land to supply fuel to private vehicles. Sudhir Kokate (Sena) demanded the widening of roads in the main market area and pointed out that the Mahatma Phule Market is underutilised. Old drainage lines in Thane must be replaced. Dr Darshana Jankar suggested measures to solve water shortages in Srinagar area.

Former Mayor Meenakshi Shinde pointed out financial losses to the Corporation due to properties being leased out by the Real Estate Department at nominal rates. Other notable members who participated in the discussion include Namrata Pamnani, Sarita Thakur, Malti Patil, Aparna Salvi, Ganesh Kamble, and Archana Patil.