My Thane

Amid the noise of modern Thane, lie silent witnesses to its past — the sturdy Thane fort, the calm expanse of Masunda Lake and the temple of Kopineshwar. Nearly three centuries ago, this city underwent a profound transformation when the Marathas reclaimed Thane from Portuguese rule in 1738. Their 37-year reign, though brief, marked a powerful period of restoration of governance, faith, and identity. It was a time when Thane was not merely ruled but rebuilt. The Portuguese acquired Thane in 1515 and, over the next two centuries, transformed it from a regional town into a fortified Christian settlement. They altered the city  skyline and social structure to reflect their religious and political priorities. Churches and large houses replaced earlier temples and worship places, changing both the physical and cultural character of the city. The convent and church of St. Anthony was built out of the stones of  twelve temples around present-day Masunda Lake.  The Portuguese bega...

(In continuation with previous article) Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) faces a significant challenge in balancing water supply with the growing needs of our city. Understanding how much water we need versus how much we receive, and where the shortages are most severe, is crucial for addressing this critical issue. The city’s current total water demand for domestic and commercial uses stands at 460 MLD (Million Litres per Day). However, the actual water supply—derived from TMC supply is only 407 MLD. This leaves TMC with an overall water deficit of 53 MLD. Currently, the deficit is assumed to be met by informal sources, such as private bore wells. While the city experiences an overall shortage, the problem is not uniform across all areas. Seven out of the nine administrative wards in TMC report a water deficit. The current water supply capacity in these wards is inadequate to meet the required domestic and commercial demand. The most severe deficits are concentrated in the following ...

From the heart of Thane, veteran writer, editor, and children’s playwright Ramnath Tharawal emerged as a prominent personality in Maharashtra’s cultural landscape. A proud citizen of our city, he devoted his entire life to the world of children’s theatre. Known as the “Bhishmacharya of Maharashtra’s children’s theatre,” his tireless and selfless work not only shaped generations of young minds but also brought enduring honour to Thane’s artistic spirit. Born on November 20, 1951, in Konkan, he lived with his uncle in Abaloli for early schooling while his parents stayed in Mumbai. There, he developed a love for folk arts like Naman and Dashavatar, joined village plays, and showed talent in crafts and academics. Later, he moved to Mumbai, studied at Maratha High School in Girgaon, and passed matric in 1970. He actively participated in school and social events, especially theatre. During this time, he met Rekha Sabnis and joined her theatre group.  Ramnath got his first break in childr...

Water Supply to Thane  The present water supply scheme of the Thane Municipal Corporation area is divided into three main distribution zones marked as Central, East and North Zone. It consists of 44 water districts. Each zone is provided with water from a separate source. It is further supplied to the ESR in the respective area. Following are  the three zones of the water supply system and its contributory area. Central Zone: Naupada, Uthalsar, Kopari, Wagle Estate and Railadevi Ward Committee Area Eastern Zone: Kalwa & Mumbra-Kausa, Diva-Shill Ward Committee Area North Zone: Chitalsar-Manpada, and Vartak Nagar Ward Committee Area (Source: water supply department- Thane Municipal Corporation) The central zone has 13 water districts. The northern zone has 14 water districts. The Eastern zone has 17 water districts.  Extent of Water Supply There are 1,35,000 household water connections and 6,500 business connections across the city. Out of total water connections, 54,00...