Thane: Mahametro, which is executing the Thane Integral Ring Metro Railway Project, is unlikely to modify its proposed route through the dense Hiranandani Estate area and Gladys Alwares Road but is learnt to have agreed to consider relocating the stations there.Mahametro sticking to the route is seen as a setback for residents, who were hoping for relief from possible congestion right outside their doorstep. After the recent joint meeting among residents, elected representatives and Mahametro officials, residents have now written to the Mahametro MD and the municipal commissioner seeking fresh intervention.“We were told our request could not be met and the route will pass right through our neighbourhood due to constraints as the Coastal Road is also running alongside. We have been assured that the station could be relocated. We haven’t agreed to this plan and sought a fresh meeting where we will push for reverting to the original plan bypassing our area,” said a Hiranandani Estate resident present for the meeting.A group of Hiranandani Estate residents who had raised the issue first said the original route skirted TCS and ran along the coastal stretch but was suddenly modified to pass through the street opposite Rodas Enclave without any local intervention, thereby triggering fears of congestion in the otherwise laidback corner of the city.An Eden Woods complex representative said they were wary of the route passing through the congested Gladys Alwares Road and were seeking modification but were only informed of a possible relocation of the station from outside their complex gate.Mahametro said the TIRMRP route was approved in 2018 by the general body of the Thane municipal corporation. “We were approached by residents of Eden Woods and Estate independently about their fears of possible inconvenience if the stations came up opposite their society entrance and we may consider relocating them. However, any modification to the route would require a fresh set of approvals including environmental clearances,” said the agency.On the other hand, a group of residents supporting the project said the ring metro was necessary to reduce time travel and improve connectivity to far-flung corners of the city.
