Quick Facts
Thane, one of the most important cities in Maharashtra:
General Overview
- Location: Northwestern Maharashtra, adjacent to Mumbai.
- Nickname: "City of Lakes" – due to its 30+ natural and man-made lakes.
- Status: Part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR); major satellite city of Mumbai.
- District: Thane is both a city and a district; one of the most populous districts in India.
Historical Significance
- Ancient Name: Known as Sristhanaka in ancient times.
- Historical Mentions: Referred to by Greek geographer Ptolemy and Arab travelers like Al-Masudi.
- Portuguese Rule: In the 16th century, the Portuguese occupied Thane and left behind churches and forts.
- British Period: A crucial administrative and railway hub under British rule.
Railway Heritage
- India’s First Train: Ran from Mumbai (Bori Bunder) to Thane on April 16, 1853.
- Distance: 34 km.
- Marked the beginning of Indian Railways.
- Thane continues to be a major suburban railway junction on the Central and Trans-Harbour lines.
Lakes and Natural Beauty
- Masunda Lake (Talao Pali): Most iconic and centrally located lake.
- Upvan Lake: Popular for the annual Sanskruti Arts Festival.
- Other lakes: Kachrali, Bramhala, Siddheshwar, Makhmali, etc.
Urban Growth & Development
- Thane has transformed from a quiet town into a bustling urban center.
- Major residential and commercial hubs:
- Ghodbunder Road, Majiwada, Pokhran Road, Vartak Nagar, Hiranandani Estate.
- One of India’s fastest-growing real estate markets.
- Part of the Smart Cities Mission.
Economy & Industry
- Historically an industrial town – with textiles, chemicals, and engineering units.
- Now a growing hub for:
- IT & BPO services
- Retail & Shopping Malls
- Finance & Real Estate
- Major IT parks and commercial areas: Wagle Industrial Estate, Thane-Belapur Road corridor.
Environment & Biodiversity
- Close to Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Yeoor Hills – rich in flora and fauna.
- Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary and Vaitarna catchment areas are important to Thane district.
Transport & Connectivity
- Rail: Major station on the Mumbai suburban railway; excellent local train connectivity.
- Road: Well-connected via Eastern Express Highway, Ghodbunder Road, Thane-Belapur Road.
- Metro: Under-construction Mumbai Metro Line 4 will connect Thane to Mumbai (expected to boost transport).
- Bus: Served by TMT (Thane Municipal Transport), BEST, and NMMT buses.
Education & Institutions
- Reputed schools: Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School, DAV Public School, Universal High School.
- Colleges: KC College of Engineering, VPM’s College, KJ Somaiya Polytechnic (Thane Campus).
Cultural & Religious Spots
- Kopineshwar Temple: Oldest temple in Thane, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- St. John the Baptist Church: Built in 16th century by Portuguese.
- Jama Masjid, Jain Derasar, and ISKCON Thane – reflect the city’s diverse religious harmony.
Festivals & Events
- Major festivals: Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Diwali, Eid, Christmas.
- Upvan Arts Festival – a major cultural and art event hosted by the TMC (Thane Municipal Corporation).
- Celebrations often happen near lakes and public parks.
Demographics
- Population (as per latest estimates): Over 2 million.
- Official Language: Marathi.
- Other Languages Spoken: Hindi, English, Gujarati, Konkani.
- Cosmopolitan with communities from across India.
Nearby Places of Interest
- Yeoor Hills
- Kanheri Caves
- Tikuji-ni-Wadi (amusement park)
- Suraj Water Park
- Kelva and Dahanu beaches (within Thane district)
