Maharashtra: Thane civic body plans Rs 350 crore upgrade of ageing sewer network

Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation is preparing a Rs 350 crore plan to replace ageing sewer and stormwater drainage lines beneath several parts of the old city, BJP's MLA Sanjay Kelkar said during a recent citizen interaction. The proposed upgrade, to be taken up under the central govt's AMRUT 2 scheme, aims to address frequent complaints of overflowing drains and sewage backflow in densely populated areas such as Naupada, Vartak Nagar and Panchpakhadi. Kelkar said the existing sewerage infrastructure, some of which is over five decades old, has become inadequate for the current population load, leading to recurrent sanitation and health concerns. "The sewer pipelines in old Thane are nearly 50 years old and in a dilapidated condition. With rising population density, the existing system is insufficient, resulting in frequent overflows and hygiene issues. There is an urgent need for a complete overhaul," Kelkar said. According to officials, work is expected to begin after the monsoon and targeted for completion within two years. Authorities said residents will be kept informed during its execution. The meeting was attended by BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare, deputy city engineer Vikas Dhole, executive engineer Nadeem Kazi, and other civic officials along with citizen representatives.