Thane: Voicing concerns over the potential impact of the Thane-Borivli tunnel project on the environment as well as residents’ health, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad on Sunday said no development should come at the cost of a region’s ecological balance.Awhad raised residents’ fears of rampant deforestation, dust and sound pollution, and an increase in respiratory illnesses owing to the project, and also cited MMRDA’s report that said nearly 50,000 vehicles would pass through the area daily once the twin tunnels open. “People bought homes here for the peace and greenery, but are now mentally distressed,” he said at an interaction with members of housing complexes in Thane.He said his fight is not against the project but the way it is being executed. Awhad said he’s ready to take up with the CM and MMRDA people’s demand on making the tunnels to Ghodbunder Road link fully underground to protect the green cover and reduce pollution. “I am a man who takes to the streets for the people. Now that the people themselves are out on the streets, a resolution will come soon. This may seem like a small issue, but its resolution requires govt’s will.”Residents alleged that MMRDA has felled a large number of trees in the area —even centuries-old ones —for the project, which has given rise to dust pollution and traffic congestion.MMRDA had earlier said the disturbance to wildlife would be negligible as the tunnel would be at a depth of 25m.
