Maharashtra Forest Minister Reviews Karjat Power Project
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Maharashtra Forest Minister Reviews Karjat Power Project

MUMBAI, 1 November 2026: Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik is reviewing Torrent Power’s 3,000-MW Saidongar-I pumped storage project near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Karjat taluka of Raigad district. Naik said the project’s approval had been granted before he assumed charge of the Forest Department.

His remarks came after Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, ruling NCP leader and actor Sayaji Shinde, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal and NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar, opposed the proposed project. The project has become a contentious issue in the state amid concerns over its environmental impact.

Opposition leaders have alleged that 32,000 trees in the Karjat-Bhimashankar region are being felled in the name of development. Environmental groups have also raised concerns over biodiversity, forest loss and the effect on local livelihoods, while the reported tree felling has fuelled public opposition to the project.

Naik said the government was examining the matter and was seeking to preserve as many trees as possible at the project site. He also said additional trees would be planted at other locations and assured that steps would be taken to prevent environmental degradation.

Minister of State for Power Meghana Bordikar defended the project, saying it would provide clean energy to Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also backed the proposal, saying any environmental damage would be temporary compared with the long-term benefits of clean energy generation. Fadnavis said 90,000 trees would be planted and an area twice the size of the project site would be allocated to the Forest Department. He added that the project would support round-the-clock clean energy for the state.

MUMBAI, 1 November 2026: Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik is reviewing Torrent Power’s 3,000-MW Saidongar-I pumped storage project near the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary in Karjat taluka of Raigad district. Naik said the project’s approval had been granted before he assumed charge of the Forest Department. His remarks came after Opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, ruling NCP leader and actor Sayaji Shinde, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal and NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar, opposed the proposed project. The project has become a contentious issue in the state amid concerns over its environmental impact. Opposition leaders have alleged that 32,000 trees in the Karjat-Bhimashankar region are being felled in the name of development. Environmental groups have also raised concerns over biodiversity, forest loss and the effect on local livelihoods, while the reported tree felling has fuelled public opposition to the project. Naik said the government was examining the matter and was seeking to preserve as many trees as possible at the project site. He also said additional trees would be planted at other locations and assured that steps would be taken to prevent environmental degradation. Minister of State for Power Meghana Bordikar defended the project, saying it would provide clean energy to Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also backed the proposal, saying any environmental damage would be temporary compared with the long-term benefits of clean energy generation. Fadnavis said 90,000 trees would be planted and an area twice the size of the project site would be allocated to the Forest Department. He added that the project would support round-the-clock clean energy for the state.

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