Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar defends Torrent Power’s Raigad project amid tree-felling row

Maharashtra Minister for Information Technology and AI Ashish Shelar on Sunday sought to allay concerns over tree felling for Torrent Powerrsquos hydroenergy project in Raigad saying that all industrial projects coming up in the state would follow environmentfriendly practicesReacting to Shiv Sena UBT MLA Aaditya Thackerayrsquos criticism of the Torrent project Shelar said the Opposition leader had no moral right to speak on environmental issues He alleged that the previous Shiv Sena UBTled government had failed to act against polluting companies in Mumbai PTI reportedShelar targets Aaditya Thackeray over environmental concernsldquoAaditya 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 MankhurdGovandi 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 actionrdquo Shelar told reportersResponding to a question about Torrent Powerrsquos project the minister said he was not fully aware of its details but assured that any industry coming to Maharashtra would comply with environmental normsldquoI am not fully aware of the details of the Torrent project but I can certainly assure you that any industry coming here will follow environmentfriendly practicesrdquo he said PTI reportedOpposition raises concerns over tree fellingThe Saidongar1 Pumped Storage Project a 3000 MW hydroenergy initiative in Karjat tehsil of Raigad district is expected to contribute to grid reliability and energy security in Maharashtra and other regions The project envisages an investment of Rs 13505 croreEnvironmental activists and Opposition parties including Shiv Sena UBT and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS led by Raj Thackeray have opposed the largescale felling of trees for the projectAaditya Thackeray on Saturday alleged that thousands of trees were being indiscriminately felled for the project and questioned the permissions granted by the Forest Department He also accused the authorities of prioritising private companies over environmental concerns and opposition from local residentsKailash More leader of the Karjat Paryavaran Bachao Samiti said members of the organisation would stage a protest if tree felling was not stoppedAccording to an official the Union Environment Ministry granted final approval on October 6 for the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land and the felling of 48000 trees for the projectMeghna Bordikar defends project clearancesMaharashtra Minister of State for Power Meghna Bordikar on Saturday accused Thackeray of creating confusion among the public by opposing the project on the basis of incomplete informationldquoThe Union Power Ministry has approved it in view of the statersquos growing electricity demand and the project received clearance only after complying with all the conditions laid down by the Union Environment and Forest Ministryrdquo she said PTI reportedBordikar urged Thackeray to stop obstructing development works and understand the facts before criticising the project which she said was important to meet Maharashtrarsquos growing power requirementsWith PTI inputs