7 hrs ago
Thane Protest Opposes Rs 12,100 Crore Integral Ring Metro
Several hundred people in Thane protested against a planned ring-shaped metro project.
They said the government should improve buses and roads before building another rail line.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 12,100 crore.
Environmentalists are worried because about 3,900 trees may be cut down.
Some residents and representatives also said surveys of affected families are incomplete.
They said plans for helping families move have not been clearly explained.
Officials said most of the route alignment is already available and promised to speed up land acquisition.
They also said public suggestions will be considered in a report expected by January 2027.
Several hundred people formed a human chain in Thane against the proposed Rs 12,100 crore Integral Ring Metro project.
Protesters urged authorities to improve the Thane Municipal Transport bus fleet, increase service frequency and expand roads instead.
Environmentalists objected to plans to fell approximately 3,900 trees and demanded ridership data be reviewed first.
Representatives raised concerns about incomplete displacement surveys, unclear route alignment and rehabilitation plans for 1,400 to 1,500 families.
Thane officials said 70 per cent of the alignment is available, land acquisition will be accelerated and public suggestions will inform the Detailed Project Report.
- Who
- Several hundred protesters, activists, environmentalists, elected representatives and citizens’ groups; Thane Municipal Corporation and MahaMetro officials also addressed the concerns.
- What
- A protest was held against the proposed Rs 12,100 crore Thane Integral Ring Metro project.
- Where
- A human chain was formed from Swami Junction to Prashant Corner in Thane.
- When
- Sunday, September 6; the year is not specified in the articles.
- Why
- Protesters sought investment in buses and roads, while critics cited ridership, environmental, route-alignment, survey and rehabilitation concerns.
Project Critics
Project Authorities
Transport priorities
Project Critics
Protesters said authorities should upgrade the Thane Municipal Transport bus fleet, increase trip frequency and expand road transit before funding another rail corridor.
Project Authorities
Officials continued preparations for the ring metro, including land acquisition and development of the Detailed Project Report.
Environmental impact
Project Critics
Environmentalists objected to plans to fell approximately 3,900 trees and activists sought evaluation of ridership data on existing lines before committing to new infrastructure.
Project Authorities
The articles do not report a specific response from project authorities to the tree-felling objection or the ridership-data demand.
Displacement and route clarity
Project Critics
Representatives and citizens’ groups said displacement surveys were incomplete, route alignment was unclear and rehabilitation plans for affected families lacked detail. Jitendra Awhad claimed roughly 30 per cent of slum surveys remained unfinished.
Project Authorities
Saurabh Rao said 70 per cent of the route alignment was available, land acquisition would be accelerated and Thane Municipal Corporation and MahaMetro would prioritize local rehabilitation. MahaMetro also said underground tracks near Thane station would run 20 metres deep.
Key facts
- Project cost
- Rs 12,100 crore
- Protest organizers
- Thane Against Ring Metro
- Protest action
- Participants formed a human chain from Swami Junction to Prashant Corner despite rain.
- Potential tree loss
- Approximately 3,900 trees
- Estimated affected families
- Approximately 1,400 to 1,500 families
- Route alignment
- Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao said 70 per cent is already available.
- Expected project report
- Public suggestions are expected to be incorporated into the Detailed Project Report by January 2027.
Sources
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