As Thane rapidly evolves into a premier residential and commercial hub, CREDAI-MCHI Thane finds itself at the helm of transformative growth. In this exclusive interview, Faiyaz Virani, the newly appointed Hon. Secretary, outlines his vision for the association and the city’s urban future.
Setting the Strategic Agenda
“As the new Hon. Secretary of CREDAI-MCHI Thane, I am committed to driving a focused and future-oriented agenda. My top three strategic priorities are strengthening government-industry collaboration, advancing sustainable development, and elevating member engagement,” says Virani.
He elaborates that building stronger relationships with government bodies, local authorities, and stakeholders will be key to addressing the concerns of the real estate industry and driving Thane’s growth. At the same time, he stresses the importance of promoting green building technologies and eco-conscious practices that help reduce the environmental footprint of urban development. Internally, his vision includes fostering a sense of community among members by creating networking opportunities, professional development sessions, and meaningful industry dialogues.
Virani believes that consistent engagement is critical. “We want to make CREDAI-MCHI Thane the benchmark for how a real estate body can positively shape its city,” he affirms. His approach includes organising regular industry meets with government officials and members to openly discuss policy bottlenecks, market opportunities, and growth enablers. In addition, he aims to facilitate sustainability workshops and seminars that will help developers embrace new-age, environmentally responsible construction practices.
Strengthening Civic & Government Relations
Virani emphasizes that proactive collaboration with local authorities and government bodies is at the heart of his strategy. He believes in establishing structured communication channels to ensure consistent dialogue and swift resolution of industry challenges. These relationships are essential to ensure that the interests of developers and homebuyers are equally addressed while driving systemic change.
He intends to advocate for industry-friendly policies, support regulatory reforms, and promote a cooperative model of engagement with civic bodies. His vision is not limited to policy alone. He also plans to foster closer ties with residents’ associations, community stakeholders, and urban advocacy groups to encourage participative urban planning. “Thane’s development must be co-owned by all its citizens,” he notes.
Bridging the Infrastructure & Policy Gaps
Virani identifies infrastructure as both a challenge and an opportunity. He notes that Thane’s pace of expansion demands immediate attention to road network enhancement, better water management systems, and public transport upgrades. With metro connectivity underway and urban density increasing, there’s an urgent need to improve mobility and city resilience.
In his view, regulatory clarity is just as important. He highlights the need to streamline FSI norms and planning guidelines to align with the city’s infrastructure capacity and environmental goals. Traffic management, flyover projects, and intelligent transport systems are part of his long-term plan to make Thane more liveable and investor-friendly. “A seamless city is the foundation of sustainable growth,” he adds.
Vision 2030: Thane as a Global City
Looking to the future, Virani’s vision for Thane is aspirational yet grounded in current realities. He imagines Thane as a nationally benchmarked, globally respected city that balances economic progress with ecological responsibility. His approach places equal emphasis on technological infrastructure, inclusive housing, and environmental sustainability.
He believes that Thane can lead the way in integrating smart infrastructure and people-centric urban policies. With modern real estate projects, integrated transportation systems, and green city planning, he sees Thane becoming a key contributor to Maharashtra’s $1 trillion economy roadmap. As a real estate body, CREDAI-MCHI Thane under his stewardship will take on a more strategic role—one that bridges the gap between policy and implementation, and between vision and reality.
“By 2030, we want Thane to be known not just for what it builds—but how responsibly it builds it,” says Virani. “Our goal is to ensure that development in Thane serves all—residents, developers, businesses, and the next generation.”
