In a move to address the ongoing challenges of traffic congestion and parking woes in the fast-developing city of Thane, former Thane BJP corporator, Krishna Patil, has urged the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Commissioner to commission a comprehensive survey through IIT-Bombay.

Patil highlighted the significant population growth in Thane over the last 15 years, which has resulted in a surge of residential complexes and a subsequent increase in both four-wheeler and two-wheeler usage. This growth has led to severe traffic congestion and parking problems within the city limits, inconveniencing pedestrians and commuters. Recognizing the urgency of finding a sustainable, long-term solution, Patil stressed the need for a thorough investigation and expert intervention.

The limited road infrastructure in the city, combined with the escalating volume of vehicular traffic, particularly along state highways passing through Thane, has contributed to the persistent traffic issues. Despite existing flyovers, traffic flow remains a challenge, worsened by the lack of space for road expansion in inner city areas. Patil attributed the lack of adequate parking facilities to the absence of a clear parking policy adopted by the Thane Municipality. As a result, street parking has become a common practice, further congesting the roads and exacerbating the problem.