ULHASNAGAR: With the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) having recently sanctioned Metro Line 5A and work expected to begin in the coming months, BJP MLA Kumar Ailani has demanded that one of the metro stations passing through Ulhasnagar be named Sindhunagar, in view of the long-standing demand of the city’s large Sindhi-speaking population.Ailani has also sought that another station be named Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Metro Station and the third Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Metro Station.The proposed names are being seen as an attempt to acknowledge Ulhasnagar’s Sindhi identity while also honouring important historical personalities and representing different sections of society.The demands were raised during a meeting held at Ailani’s office on Tuesday with officials from MMRDA, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD).The meeting discussed Metro Line 5A, traffic congestion on the Kalyan-Ambernath-Ulhasnagar route and the proposed station names.Ailani said the city’s Sindhi community had for several years been demanding that Ulhasnagar be given the name Sindhunagar. He said naming one of the metro stations Sindhunagar would give recognition to the city’s historical and cultural identity.He also proposed that Metro Line 5A be planned as an integrated three-level double-decker corridor to address future traffic problems.“Metro Line 5A should be planned as a double-decker structure, with the road at the lower level, a flyover in the middle and the metro at the upper level. This would ensure optimum use of the available space and help prevent serious traffic congestion on this route for the next 20 to 30 years,” Ailani said.He urged MMRDA to conduct an immediate technical feasibility study for the integrated corridor between Shantinagar and Sai Baba, including land requirements, construction costs, traffic management and future traffic capacity.Ailani also sought a joint transport-impact study for Metro 5A and the road network and preparation of a detailed project report if the integrated structure was found technically feasible.On the proposed names, Ailani said development should go hand in hand with respect for the city’s history and identity. He urged the authorities to initiate the administrative process for renaming the stations and coordinate with all concerned departments.
