Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Sunday promised that industries entering the state would follow environment-friendly practices amid opposition to a Raigad hydropower project cleared for the felling of 48,000 trees, putting the environmental cost of the state’s development push in focus.
The dispute over Torrent Power’s Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project comes alongside concerns over a separate road proposal in Thane that envisages the permanent loss of 680 mangroves near a flamingo sanctuary. Together, the projects underline the demands that expanding energy and transport infrastructure place on forests and sensitive habitats.
Responding to Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray’s criticism of the Raigad project, Shelar acknowledged that he did not have its complete details but assured compliance with environmental norms.
“I am not fully aware of the details of the Torrent project, but I can certainly assure you that any industry coming here will follow environment-friendly practices,” the information technology and AI minister told reporters.
The 3,000 MW project in Karjat tehsil of Raigad envisages an investment of Rs 13,505 crore and is expected to contribute to grid reliability and energy security in Maharashtra and other regions.
Its forest footprint, however, has drawn opposition. According to an official, the Union environment ministry issued final approval on October 6 for the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land and the felling of 48,000 trees.
Environmental activists and Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, have opposed what they described as the rampant cutting of trees for the project.
Aaditya on Saturday accused the authorities of allowing thousands of trees to be indiscriminately felled and questioned the permissions granted by the forest department. He also accused them of prioritising private companies over environmental concerns and local opposition.
Kailash More, a leader of the Karjat Paryavaran Bachao Samiti, said its members would stage a protest if the tree felling was not stopped.
The tension between infrastructure expansion and ecological protection has also surfaced over the 7.12-km Thane Coastal Road-2, which would connect Anand Nagar in Mulund East with Balkum in Thane.
The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority cleared its original alignment through the eco-sensitive zone of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary at its September 24 meeting, after the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority said there was no viable alternative route that would substantially spare the mangroves.
According to an October 21 report, 680 mangroves would be permanently lost where elevated-road piers are proposed. Another 1,053 would be damaged during construction and restored afterwards, according to the development authority’s submission. Further statutory clearances were still required.
The road and power projects involve different locations and approval processes, but both bring the loss of vegetation into the debate over meeting Maharashtra’s infrastructure needs.
Shelar, meanwhile, challenged Aaditya’s record as environment minister, claiming that the previous government led by the undivided Shiv Sena had failed to act against polluting companies in Mumbai.
“Aaditya Thackeray has no right to speak on the environment. When he was the state environment minister, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued orders to shut companies in the Mankhurd-Govandi areas of Mumbai that had been fined crores of rupees, warning that they would cause pollution. Despite this, his party and government decided against taking action,” Shelar said.
Maharashtra minister of state for power Meghna Bordikar had on Saturday defended the Torrent project, saying Aaditya was creating confusion by opposing it on the basis of incomplete information.
“The Union power ministry has approved it in view of the state’s growing electricity demand, and the project received clearance only after complying with all the conditions laid down by the Union environment and forest ministry,” she said.
Bordikar urged Aaditya to understand the facts before criticising the project and stop obstructing development works, saying the venture was important to meet Maharashtra’s growing power requirements.