Citizens’ group demands review of Rs 12k-crore Thane Ring Metro Project, flags planning and environmental concerns

Thane: A citizens’ group comprising transport experts and urban planners on Saturday urged the govt to put the proposed ₹12,200-crore Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail (TIRMR) project under fresh scrutiny, citing fears over projected ridership estimates, financial viability, environmental impact, among other concerns.Addressing the media, the group argued that the proposed 29-km circular metro corridor with 22 stations could become an expensive investment that fails to address Thane’s actual mobility needs.“Independent reviews by transport planner Ashish Verma and urban planner Sulakshana Mahajan were presented that show that the projected passenger demand does not justify a heavy metro system. The commuting patterns in Thane remain largely radial and not circular, among other issues,” said a member.Concerns were also raised over the proposed underground stretch near Thane railway station, which residents fear could trigger prolonged traffic disruptions without publicly disclosed mitigation plans.“There is no clarity on how the project plans to ease commute for users in terms of seamless connectivity, considering most stations are located at a distance from the metro 4 and 5 lines. The existing route map shows the ring route crossing over the other metros and then diving underground, raising questions on whether the planners are designing a roller coaster ride,” questioned Mahajan during her media interaction.The group also highlighted discrepancies in the number of trees likely to be affected, pointing out that while the MahaMetro DPR estimated 662 trees, the municipal Tree Authority identified 3,224 trees for felling or transplantation. Questions were also raised over the impact on mangroves near Thane Creek and the absence of a publicly available environmental assessment. The potential flooding of the tunnels adjoining the creek also remains unattended, feared Mahajan.Recently, NCP-SP Thane president Manoj Pradhan urged the govt to strengthen the network of public transport buses instead, while a few residents urged holding the project till metro 4 was operative.Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar recently said the project was important but added that residents’ concerns must also be addressed.A response from MahaMetro was awaited.