Last month, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) had decided to dedicate 25 hectares of parks and green spaces for the purpose of constructing the Thane-Borivali twin-tunnels.
However, the citizens have been objecting to the de-reservation of 25 hectares of parks and green spaces. For this, citizens have written to the civic body twice over the last week.
On November 22, TMC had issued a public notice seeking comments and objections to the same. The project, being executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is expected to commence construction work in March 2022.
As per TMC’s public notice, it is proposed to remove three land parcels measuring 17 hectares, 6 hectares and 2.6 hectares from the category of 'Green Zone', 'Zoological Park' and 'Residential Park' respectively and to include them in Thane city development. The scheme is planned under the revised land use category of 'Twin Tunnel (underground)'.
In a letter to Thane Municipal Commissioner on Monday, activist Zoru Bhatena wrote, “The purpose of the underground tunnel is to protect the environment at ground level. Underground tunnels can never affect land use. The proposal, which seeks to change the land reservation (surface) for the underground tunnel, has been issued with a complete non-application of mind.”
"If you fail to reject the proposal to remove 25.60 hectares of gardens and greenery, we will have no option but to take the matter to the Hon'ble Courts and show the wrongdoing of Thane Municipal Corporation," the activist further mentioned in the letter.
In a similar representation on December 17, Mumbai-based NGO Conservation Action Trust (CAT) recommended carrying out a comprehensive environmental and traffic study for the project. It also requested putting the details out in public domain before sanctioning any modifications in the Thane development plan for the same.
“We urge you not to consider the proposed modification in DP for the tunnel. Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is a unique protected area in Mumbai city. The forest land of SGNP is being lost at a rapid pace. Construction of new roads will lead to induced road traffic. Instead of proposing new roads, the authorities need to strengthen the existing road system and improvise on the public transport system. The proposed project needs to be rejected at this stage itself.”
"Apart from this tunnel, they have proposed 4.7 km long tunnel proposed from Film City, Goregaon to Amar Nagar, Elevated Road and widening of Ghodbunder Road, Thane, Cable Car Ropeway from Thane to Borivali, Proposed Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor passing between National Park and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Metro Car shed, and Diversion of Forest land for creating parking lot," Khale wrote.
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