Mumbai, Oct 26 (PTI) Maharashtra Minister of State for Energy Meghna Bordikar on Monday accused the opposition of selectively targeting power projects, questioning why there were protests against a proposed power plant in Karjat in Raigad district but not against other large developments in the Sahyadri region.
Parties like the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS have been opposing the power project in the ecologically-sensitive area around Bhimashankar claiming it will entail massive felling of trees.
The project triggered a political controversy after the forest department granted permission to fell 32,490 trees in the Saidongar forest area. The proposed project involves diverting around 233 hectares of forest land.
Bordikar defended the proposed 3,000 MW Saidongar-I pumped-storage hydroelectric project by Torrent Power in Karjat taluka of Raigad district, saying it would provide a nature-friendly alternative to coal-based power generation and benefit farmers. She also referred to a proposed 600-acre hydroelectric project in the Karjat-Uran area.
In a post on X, Bordikar questioned whether environmental activism in the Sahyadris was selective, citing the Lavasa and Aamby Valley projects and alleging that protests were being directed at works undertaken by the Mahayuti government.
“Large projects mean silence, small projects mean protests? Is opposition to development selective?” the BJP leader asked, urging people to protect the Sahyadris while supporting development.
Bordikar, in her post, said projects that offered nature-friendly alternatives to conventional power generation should not be obstructed for political reasons. She questioned why large developments did not attract similar protests and accused critics of applying different standards to projects undertaken by the ruling alliance.
“Sahyadris must be protected, but development must also be supported,” she said, urging the opposition to avoid selective criticism of development initiatives.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar have opposed the tree-felling, citing potential damage to biodiversity, wildlife and the livelihoods of local communities. Environmental groups have also raised concerns over the project’s ecological impact.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday defended the project, saying the prescribed legal procedures had been followed and hearings had been held over 18 months.
He accused the opposition of creating a “fake narrative” around the project, while stating that the government would listen to villagers’ concerns and explore solutions wherever necessary.
The project would provide clean energy to Maharashtra and support the state’s growing electricity requirements, he had said.
Torrent Power has defended its proposed 3,000-megawatt pumped storage project in Karjat, Maharashtra, against environmental concerns, saying the project is located about 16 km from the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and that all its components fall outside the sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone.
The company, in a statement, said the project would support grid stability as the share of solar and other renewable energy rises, while reducing reliance on coal-fired generation during evening peak hours.
It also rejected reports of tree felling inside the sanctuary, describing them as based on incorrect information. PTI ND BNM
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