PUNE: Residents of Kalyani Nagar, Shashtrinagar and Nagpur chawl met Deputy Mayor Siddharth Dhende, on Sunday, at Joggers Park Kalyani Nagar to discuss the ongoing metro realignment issue.
The route of Metro line 2 has been realigned from Nagar Road to Kalyani Nagar, as the National Monument Authority denied permission for construction of the metro opposite the Aga Khan Palace, which is a protected monument.
The residents have been protesting against the realignment of the metro route and had met Guardian Minister Girish Bapat on January 25 regarding the same.
Dhende said during the meet, “Metro is to provide an eco-friendly system of transport, as traffic has been a major issue. But it is very important to do it in a proper way. Realignment of metro towards Kalyani Nagar is not feasible, as it will increase the cost and also reduce metro’s speed. The problem of ridership will also not be solved, as it is going through a no man’s land where they will not get riders. The Nagar road traffic problem will also remain unsolved.”
He added, “The green patch and the eco-system of Dr Salim Ali Bird sanctuary is important. I have already put an objection and sent the letter to the official. I am with the residents in their quest, as I believe that metro is an eco-friendly transport and it should be done in an eco-friendly way.”
Meghana Bafna, a resident said, “Since the residents of the area and Dhende are on the same page when it comes to the metro issue, as we are in favour of the earlier alignment of metro, which was on Nagar Road, we decided to meet him.” She added, “ We are positive after the meeting and will go the legal way if needed.”
