Residents of Karjat observed a bandh on Monday to protest against the felling of trees for the proposed 3,000-MW pumped storage project in the region. The project is expected to require the felling of 32,490 trees, triggering opposition from local residents and environmental groups.

Why is the project controversial?

The proposed Saidongar I Karjat Off-Stream Open Loop Pumped Storage Project is spread across four villages — Pali, Kotal Khalati, Saidongar and Dhak — in Karjat taluka.