Thane dist to be split into 2 at cost of 500cr

Nagpur/Thane: Thane is set to lose its tag of being the nation's biggest district with diverse demographics and unique landscapes. The government has unveiled plans for a two-way split of the district. A new administrative district, Palghar, will be created. The challenge for the government will be to divide Thane district's 13 regions.      "There is no ambiguity about the bifurcation process. By April-May, the government will make a formal announcement to split the district. The existing distri ct will have jurisdiction over urban areas like Thane city, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander, Kalyan-Dombivli and Bhiwandi, and also the mofussil pockets of Shahapur and Murbad," a functionary of the ruling Democratic Front told TOI.      The proposed Palghar district would supervise development work in the tribal talukas of Jawahar, Mokhada, Vikramgad, Wada, Talasari and Dahanu.      The move is a well-thought strategy to create new administrative headquarters with a smaller area of operation to facilitate concentration of development and welfare funds. Thane's population diversity leads to clashing fund claims  Mumbai: For the bifurcation of Thane, the government is scheduled to make a budgetary provision of Rs 500 crore in the next fiscal for infrastructure development in the new district of Palghar, a source said.      "Present-day Thane is diverse and difficult to administer, not only because of its size, but also because of its unique mix of populations," an official said.      The Thane region has witnessed a realty boom over the last 10 years as staying in Mumbai has become increasingly unaffordable because of a premium on space in the island city. "Mumbai's neighbouring towns—Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander—soon caught people's fancy. The subsequent population boom triggered demands for a greater share of development funds to upgrade social infrastructure," an official said.      With more than 70% of Thane district's population living in urban areas and thus cornering a bulk of development funds, the tribal talukas have always complained of neglect. "With no industrial development in the tribal talukas, basic requirements such as water, higher education and employment facilities continue to be scarce. Moreover, an adivasi from Jawahar or a farmer from Dahanu has to travel 100-150 km to reach the district headquarters to sort out even minor revenue- or welfare-related issues. All this will now be over with the government firm on its decision to set up district headquarters at Palghar for the tribal region," the official said.  DIVERSITY FALLOUT  Thane's population diversity is one of the reasons for the impending bifurcation of the district 12% | Tribal  72% | Urban and semi-urban  16% | Rural  The varying priorities of these population groups results in a clash over claims on development funds