Eighty-year-old Rajaram Mukne, a lawyer by profession, in association with social organizations, has been demanding a railway route connecting Thane to Thane. Nashik Via Bhiwandi, Wada, Vikramgarh, Jawahar And Mokhda and a separate route connecting Vikramgarh and Dahanu since 1989.
Speaking to TOI Online, Mukne, former chairman of Jawahar Nagar Palika, said that 22 years ago, the Railway Board had organized the Dahanu-Nashik route survey opening ceremony. However, it was later officially declared commercially unviable and since then “we have been pushing for an alternative route”.
“Since the Dahanu-Nashik route was unfeasible, I had proposed an alternative viable route to the then Railway Minister Ram Naik. Later, Naik assured to step in through his reply on June 30, 1999. However, things went ahead. Couldn’t grow. As the government changed,” she added.
Now in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mukne has requested him to order a survey of the proposed route and demand that funds should be made for the construction of the railway line.
Along with his letter, he also submitted a project file emphasizing how the route will prove to be a boon for the tribal area and can also help in expediting land acquisition from the area for bullet trains.
“The region has a huge potential in the fields of tourism, adventure sports, organic farming, tribal art and pilgrimage and a railway line will help in tapping the potential resources. While, it will also open a new route for agri-timber. and bamboo based industry, trade and commerce,” Mukne said in the letter.
Meanwhile, Mukne also met the Union Minister. Kapil Patilwho represented the Bhiwandi constituency apprised him of the issue and submitted a memorandum.
“In his speech, the PM said that 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every nook and corner of the country and I hope that at least now the railways will reach the predominantly populated tribal areas from Palghar and Thane,” he said. said.
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