In Kothrud, the serene Thorat Udyan, known for its fitness facilities, yoga hubs, and unique dinosaur park, is now at the center of a community debate over the proposed introduction of a monorail project. While the park has recently gained popularity with its new amenities, plans for the monorail have triggered opposition from locals who fear potential disruptions during construction.
The monorail, soaring to a height of ten feet, necessitates the installation of around seventy pillars within Thorat Udyan. This development has stirred a dialogue among park enthusiasts about the potential impact on the park’s ambiance and accessibility. Some residents are calling for the cancellation of the project, underlining the growing tensions surrounding its implementation.
Thorat Udyan, spanning an impressive 16,000 square meters, is a well-maintained park in the Kothrud area. The proposed monorail, powered by a 72-volt DC battery, will run along two tracks, requiring the construction of platforms, ticket booths, and safety railings. The Kolkata-based Breathweight company has been entrusted with the project, and construction is set to commence in the coming months.
Despite the completion of recent developments like the dinosaur park, Karanje, fitness center, yoga, and meditation centers, the addition of the monorail has sparked controversy. While promising enhanced park accessibility, concerns about air pollution and reduced green space have surfaced, reflecting the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation.
Local residents have expressed apprehensions about potential health risks due to dust pollution and the encroachment on green spaces. The project’s alignment with ongoing road widening and metro construction efforts has compounded these concerns. The proximity of the monorail to various other parks in the area has raised questions about the necessity of its installation.
Notably, a petition against the monorail project has gained support from influential local figures, including District Commissioner Vikram Kumar, Parks Department Director Ashok Ghorpade, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Ajit Pawar, Kothrud MLA Chandrakant Patil, former Mayor Murli Mohol, and former MLA Pramod Kulkarni.
While the monorail project promises improved connectivity, its potential impact on the park’s aesthetics and environmental balance remains a subject of intense debate among stakeholders. As discussions continue, the future of Thorat Udyan and its surrounding areas hangs in the balance, reflecting the broader challenge of urban development in harmony with nature.
