27 October,2026 05:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File Pic
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has questioned the Maharashtra government over an order directing the immediate felling of 32,490 trees in Karjat, Raigad district, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed November 3, 2026, visit linked to a 3,000 MW pumped-storage hydropower project.
In a post on X, Raut shared a letter dated October 14, issued by Sameer Shinde, Range Forest Officer, Karjat East. The letter states that permission has been granted to remove 32,490 trees affected by the proposed Saidongar-I Karjat Off-Stream Open Loop Pumped Storage Project, which has a planned capacity of 3,000 MW.
The letter refers to approvals for the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land for the project, including 197.0272 hectares of reserved forest, 26.066 hectares of private forest and 9.9068 hectares of protected forest. The project is being developed by Torrent PSP 3 Private Limited in Pali, Kotal Khalati, Saidongar and Dhak villages in Karjat taluka.
According to the letter, the removal of trees must be restricted to the 32,490 trees covered by the approved project proposal. It also directs officials to ensure that no additional trees are felled and that the conditions attached to the approved proposal are not violated.
The letter states that, in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit on November 3, 2026, for the project's inauguration ceremony, the affected trees within the project area should be removed immediately.
The communication further directs the concerned forest guard to classify the timber and other material obtained from the felled trees appropriately and store it at a suitable location.
The letter specifies the trees affected by the approved project proposal and does not direct the felling of all trees in the Bhimashankar region.
Sharing the letter, Raut alleged that trees were being ordered to be cut ahead of the Prime Minister's visit and called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to respond. He questioned whether the order was genuine and asserted that forests, water and land did not belong to the BJP.
Raut also tagged senior advocate and BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP Ujjwal Nikam, urging him to stand up for the public rather than defend those he accused of destroying green cover.
The project has drawn criticism from Opposition leaders and environmental activists over the proposed loss of forest cover in the Karjat region. The controversy centres on the scale of tree felling required for the hydropower facility and its potential environmental impact.
(With PTI inputs)
