Traffic, parks, water, and safety top citizens’ demands before civic elections; the group said the Ghodbunder Road stretch remains one of the worst-affected areas in the city
A citizens’ group in Thane has called for urgent traffic management and better urban planning, placing these issues at the top of its 12-point manifesto ahead of the municipal elections to be held on January 15. The group said the Ghodbunder Road stretch remains one of the worst-affected areas in the city.
While Ghodbunder is critical, traffic regulation is needed across Thane. Several roads have been widened unevenly, creating bottlenecks where vehicles get stuck. We need more buses and additional traffic personnel to manage the rush. The movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours must also be restricted,” said Kasber Augustine, president of the Thane Citizens Foundation.
The group also flagged parking problems caused by tree felling. “Residents are now parking vehicles in spaces created after trees were cut. Junctions such as Kapurbawdi Circle and Balkum Naka regularly witness severe congestion. Daily commuters like me struggle to get through these routes,” said advocate Amol Patil, a Thane resident.
Patil added that emergency services are also affected. “At times, even ambulances get stuck in traffic. There are inadequate traffic signals, a shortage of police personnel, and poor enforcement, with many motorists ignoring red lights,” he said.
Beyond traffic issues, the manifesto highlights the need for better maintenance of public parks, protection of green cover, improved waste management and stricter regulation of hawkers. “Thane has 104 playgrounds, all of which need to be fenced and properly maintained for public use,” Augustine said.
https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/thane-citizens-flag-traffic-chaos-in-12-point-manifesto-ahead-of-maharashtra-civic-elections-2026-23611370