Why Are Residents Opposing The Rs 12,100-Crore Project?
Thane Metro News: The proposed Rs 12,100-crore Thane Integral Ring Metro project has come under growing opposition from residents and activists, who want the government to address the city’s existing public transport and road problems before taking up another major Metro corridor. Several hundred people gathered on Sunday for a protest organised by the Thane Against Ring Metro group, as reported by Mid-day. Despite heavy rain, protesters formed a human chain stretching from Swami Junction to Prashant Corner, raising concerns about the impact of the proposed project on the city’s environment, residents and existing transport network.
The protesters said improving the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) bus service should be given greater priority. They called for a larger bus fleet, more frequent services and better road connectivity, particularly in parts of the city where public transport remains limited. Activist Radhika Rane also questioned whether the performance and passenger numbers of Thane’s existing Metro lines had been adequately assessed before committing to another large-scale rail project.
What Is The Thane Integral Ring Metro? The Thane Integral Ring Metro is a proposed Metro corridor intended to improve connectivity across the city through a ring-shaped route. The project is estimated to cost Rs 12,100 crore and is being taken forward with MahaMetro involved in its planning and implementation. The project is expected to add another major public transport link to Thane, which already has Metro infrastructure as well as road and bus-based transport. However, the proposed alignment has become a major point of concern among residents and elected representatives, particularly in areas where land acquisition, rehabilitation and construction could affect existing homes and settlements.
Around 1,400 Families May Be Affected: Rehabilitation has emerged as one of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposed alignment. During a high-level presentation at the Thane Municipal Corporation on Friday, MahaMetro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar presented details of the project to elected representatives and citizens’ groups. Representatives, however, said surveys to identify affected residents were yet to be completed and that there was still insufficient clarity about the final alignment. They estimated that around 1,400 to 1,500 families in areas including Lokmanya Nagar, Manoramanagar and Sevalal Nagar could be affected by the project. According to them, concrete details on how these families would be rehabilitated had not yet been provided. NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad also raised concerns over the status of surveys, claiming that around 30% of slum surveys remained incomplete.
Protesters Raise Concerns Over Nearly 3,900 Trees: The environmental impact of the Ring Metro has also become a key part of the opposition. Environmentalists and activists have raised concerns over the proposed removal of around 3,900 trees for the project, arguing that the loss of greenery needs to be properly assessed before construction begins. Activist Rohit Joshi pointed to another issue, saying Thane had been without a Tree Authority Committee for nearly six months. He claimed that the absence of the committee had prevented citizens’ objections from being formally taken up through a public hearing. The concerns have added to the debate over whether the project can move forward while its environmental and social impact is still being examined.
Underground Section Planned Near Thane Station: MahaMetro has said the portion of the Metro alignment near Thane railway station will run underground, with the tracks planned at a depth of around 20 metres. The agency has also said that buildings located within five metres of the underground alignment would require safety clearances before construction or other related activity is permitted. The underground section is expected to be an important part of the project’s integration with Thane’s existing transport infrastructure, although the alignment and its impact on surrounding properties remain subjects of discussion.
The project has also triggered differences among public representatives. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik expressed displeasure over not being included in discussions concerning decisions on the route alignment. The issue of alignment is particularly significant because the final route will determine which properties, settlements and environmental areas could be affected during construction. Residents and elected representatives have therefore sought greater clarity on the alignment before the project moves further towards implementation.
TMC Says Land Acquisition Will Be Fast-Tracked: Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao said around 70% of the proposed route alignment was already available and that efforts would be made to speed up the remaining land acquisition. He also assured elected representatives that the Thane civic body and MahaMetro would prioritise the rehabilitation of residents affected by the project. Rao said suggestions from elected representatives and other stakeholders would be sought in writing and examined for possible inclusion in the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The DPR is expected to be prepared by January 2027.
Debate Over Thane’s Next Big Transport Project: The opposition to the Ring Metro comes as Thane weighs the need for greater public transport capacity against concerns over the cost and impact of another major infrastructure project. For supporters, the proposed corridor could strengthen the city’s Metro network and provide an additional option for commuters. For residents and activists opposing it, unresolved questions over the route, rehabilitation, trees and existing public transport services need to be addressed first. With the DPR expected early next year, the coming months are likely to be crucial in determining the project’s alignment, land requirements and rehabilitation plans – and whether the concerns raised by residents will lead to changes before the Rs 12,100-crore project moves ahead.
