Transport experts demand revision in metro routes

13th September, 2018

THANE : Transport experts from the city have sought a revision in routes of certain metro corridors planned for Thane district suggesting alternatives that could make the facility more popular and viable for travel.

The district is likely to see construction of few metro routes including the Belapur-Taloja, Wadala-Kasarwadavli and Thane-Bhiwandi-Kalyan among others. Experts here have said there needs to be an urgent review of routes of these lines so as to ensure maximise utilisation of these projects for the suburban residents who rely only on the trains as a faster mode of transport or road networks that have long become saturated.

Transport experts suggest a metro loop to be constructed within the district like the ones being planned for Mumbai so that it connects all farthest urban pockets of the district from Navi Mumbai to Bhayender, Kalyan and Thane. While there has been a demand to connect the Belapur-Taloja route to Kalyan or Dombvili, the need for linking Wadala-Kasarwadavli route till Mira-Bhayender has also been doing the rounds for a long time. In addition, diverting the Thane-Kalyan metro through Khadakpada till the APMC is also being suggested by experts and political leaders.

The state government needs to rethink about introducing more viable options for transporting passengers as the existing road and railway networks are largely saturated. There has to be a system wherein the commuters and freight movement is separated and travel for the former made more convenient. There is a need for urgent revision of the metro routes being planned in Thane district,” said transport expert Sulakshana Mahajan.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Thane guardian minister has also made a similar demand before the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to revise few metro routes connecting Thane and Kalyan.

“I have proposed an extension of the proposed metro IV project till Bhayender and also revise the Kalyan metro route to be diverted via Khadakpada and railway station to make it more viable for commuters. The present route may not be feasible for commuters as many, especially those staying in new Kalyan area would not be able to make use of it,” said Shinde.

When contacted, R A Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner for Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said there is already a plan for interlinking all the metros routes within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and the routes are finalised on the basis of the study done by consultants.

“We are working on linking the metro lines not just in Mumbai but in Thane suburbs as well. Presently, the alignment is based on what our consultants have studied and presented a report based on the situation of the roads and traffic situation in the city. If there is a need for connecting a certain area, that can benefit the commuters and motorists the same can always be explored in the future,” he said.

 

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com