Thane: The Nagpur-based Mahametro has proposed a few alignment changes and station relocations along the 29-km-long route of Thane Internal Metro Rail Project to optimise its presence, but has instead triggered opposition from local citizen groups, who allege the modifications carried out without adequate public consultation, could have an adverse impact at the local level.Residents said they came to know of the revised alignments only after contractors started erecting barricades in parts of Hiranandani Estate on Wednesday. A group of residents from the area who pursued the issue and met local elected representatives on Thursday and said they feared the modifications could alter the local urban landscape and increase congestion in the otherwise quiet localities.“The original plan was to route the line from elsewhere, but now it is cutting through a dense residential locality with a school functioning nearby. We checked with the on-site staff, who told us it was a last-minute decision. We are not opposed to the project but will now approach the authorities justifying how the revised alignment would unnecessarily clog our area,” said a resident. Mumbai-based town planning expert Sulakshana Mahajan said a majority of residents potentially affected by the alignment are unaware of the developments. “The route passing through the station area may impact existing transport routes and even impact residential and commercial structures and the stakeholders must be taken into confidence before executing the project,” she said. A Maha Metro official said, “The modifications include shifting the route by around 400 m to integrate the proposed Waghbil station with a development plan road running in the vicinity. Another change is at the defence land where the track curve has been eased, while an elevated station is being relocated towards Upvan from its existing location. These modifications will help optimise the station usage,” said the official.
