The Rs 12,000-crore Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project has encountered fresh opposition, this time from industrialists at the Upvan Industrial Estate, who have objected to its proposed alignment, claiming it could displace their long-established businesses operating in the area for decades.
Industrialists Raise Concerns at Meeting
At a meeting on Wednesday, industrialists alleged that the route was finalized without consulting local stakeholders or assessing its impact on the area's industrial ecosystem. The Upvan Industrial Estate houses hundreds of small and medium enterprises engaged in fabrication, engineering, packaging, and allied sectors, many of which have functioned there since Thane's industrial boom years.
“We came to know about the metro alignment only after barricades started coming up. We are not against the project, but we do not want to be displaced,” said Gopal Gurav, secretary of the Small-Scale Industries Association. Association member H. Saini added that industries had already ceded land for past road-widening projects and feared further losses. “We risk being uprooted from an area where we have built our businesses over several decades,” he said.
Political Intervention and Assurance
BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar, who intervened in the issue on Wednesday, assured that the authorities would re-assess the route and modify it wherever feasible. “A detailed survey will first determine how many units are likely to be affected and based on those, we will take the next step. These units are operating here for the last 50 years; we will ensure minimal disruption to their livelihoods. If rehabilitation is unavoidable, it will be done as close as possible,” he said.
Previous Opposition from Resident Groups
The project, which drew the attention of the Prime Minister's Office in April, has faced opposition from several resident groups across Thane, who have accused planners of proceeding without adequate public consultation. Residents of Hiranandani Estate, Gladys Alwares Road, Manpada, and Naupada had earlier raised similar concerns, objecting to work commencing before local suggestions were considered. Kelkar said all objections and suggestions from residents would be reviewed afresh.
A response from Mahametro was awaited at the time of filing this report.
