06 September,2026 10:52 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Participants argued that the government should strengthen the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) bus network instead of spending on another rail corridor. Representational Pic/File
Several hundred people protested against the proposed Rs 12,100-crore Thane Integral Ring Metro project on Sunday, demanding that the government focus instead on improving bus services and roads in the city, reported the PTI.
The protesters braved heavy rain and formed a human chain from Swami Junction to Prashant Corner as part of the demonstration organised by the Thane Against Ring Metro group, the news agency reported.
Participants argued that the government should strengthen the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) bus network instead of spending on another rail corridor.
They demanded an increase in the TMT bus fleet, higher service frequency and better road connectivity to areas that currently have limited public transport.
Activist Radhika Rane said ridership figures for existing Thane metro lines should be properly assessed before the government commits to another major rail project, as per the PTI.
Environmentalists also opposed the project over its potential impact on trees. Protesters raised concerns over plans to cut around 3,900 trees for the project.
Activist Rohit Joshi said the city had been without a Tree Authority Committee for nearly six months, resulting in citizen objections not being formally considered through a public hearing, according to the PTI.
Concerns over rehabilitation and the project's route alignment were also raised during a high-level presentation at the Thane Municipal Corporation on Friday.
Elected representatives and citizens' groups said displacement surveys were still incomplete and there was insufficient clarity over the proposed alignment.
MahaMetro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar made the presentation, but representatives said concrete rehabilitation plans were yet to be provided for an estimated 1,400 to 1,500 families likely to be affected in Lokmanya Nagar, Manoramanagar and Sevalal Nagar, reporyed the PTI.
State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik expressed displeasure over being kept out of discussions on route alignment decisions.
NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad also criticised the administration, claiming that around 30 per cent of slum surveys were still incomplete.
Meanwhile, MahaMetro said the underground tracks near Thane station would be constructed at a depth of around 20 metres. It added that safety clearances would be required for construction of buildings within five metres of the underground alignment.
Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao said around 70 per cent of the proposed route alignment was already available and that the land acquisition process would be accelerated.
He assured public representatives that the Thane civic body and MahaMetro would give priority to the rehabilitation of affected residents.
Rao also said written suggestions from elected representatives and other stakeholders would be collected and considered for inclusion in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which is expected to be prepared by January 2027, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
