THANE: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday directed Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MahaMetro) to launch a citywide public awareness campaign and hold consultations with residents to address concerns and dispel misconceptions amid mounting public opposition to the ₹12,200-crore Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail project.The directive came during a project review meeting in Mumbai where the growing criticism over lack of public consultation on major infrastructure projects in Thane was discussed.Incidentally, former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S. Oka, on Sunday, had criticised the large-scale projects in Thane being executed without consulting residents. Last month, few alert citizens also formed a pressure group seeking greater public participation in planning infrastructure works. The issue was also raised during the ongoing monsoon session by BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare and newly nominated BJP MLC Madhavi Naik also urged Shinde to hold public consultations.“Inadequate public communication may have prevented residents from getting the complete picture of the metro project. The Integral Metro has been planned to improve connectivity for lakhs of Thane residents and will be implemented only after taking citizens and public representatives into confidence,” Shinde said.A meeting with residents, elected representatives and experts would be held with officials explaining the finer details of the project through presentations and discussions. Information kiosks on the project would be set up at Ganesh pandals too, he said.The 29-km corridor comprises a 26-km elevated stretch and a 3-km underground section linking the existing and proposed Thane railway stations. Around 9.5% of the work has been completed, with station construction and casting yards already underway, officials explained.MahaMetro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar said the project could be completed in three-and-a-half years, subject to timely land acquisition and statutory clearances.Shinde also directed MahaMetro to study an alternative alignment proposed by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik through Samata Nagar, Lokmanya Nagar, Aai Mata Mandir and Shivai Nagar, and submit a report within three weeks.
