Mumbai, Oct 30 Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam said on Friday defended the proposed 3,000 MW hydropower project in Karjat, stating that talking about environmental concerns has become “fashionable” for opposition leaders who lack a basic understanding of clean energy.
Speaking to reporters here, Satam claimed that two lakh trees promised as compensatory afforestation for the Madhya Vaitarna dam project, undertaken by the undivided Shiv Sena-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation at the time, were never actually planted in Beed district.
The BJP leader’s remarks come amid strong opposition to the project by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who recently visited Karjat to inspect the site for Gujarat-based Torrent Power’s project and raise concerns over tree felling.
The proposed facility, which is 16 km from the sanctuary and 20 km from Bhimashankar Temple, is expected to contribute to grid reliability and energy security in the state and other regions.
Satam noted that sustainable development meant pursuing infrastructure growth while maintaining ecological balance and ensuring that future generations did not suffer its consequences.
“People have made environmental concerns a fashion. Speaking about global warming, climate change and sustainability has become fashionable. However, leaders, actors and activists must first understand what net zero, clean energy and sustainable development actually mean,” he said.
Referring to India’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2070, the MLA said that expanding solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear energy and pumped storage capacity was necessary to reduce dependence on coal-based electricity and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
He further said facilities like the pumped storage project in Karjat could help address the intermittent availability of solar power by storing energy and supplying electricity when demand rises, particularly during evening hours.
Satam claimed a 3,000 MW coal-based thermal power plant would generate emissions equivalent to nearly 40 lakh vehicles and require 28 crore trees to offset its carbon footprint, making the pumped storage project a far more environment-friendly alternative.
He also rejected concerns over the project’s proximity to ecologically sensitive areas, claiming the site was 20 km from the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga temple and 16 km from the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Accusing opposition leaders of politicising environmental issues, Satam said that against the proposed felling of around 32,000 trees for the Torrent project, compensatory afforestation involving 90,000 trees had been planned and land had already been transferred.
He also questioned the opposition’s track record, citing the Madhya Vaitarna dam project undertaken by the undivided Shiv Sena-led BMC.
Satam alleged that over 10,000 trees were affected by the drinking water project, for which 545 hectares across 13 locations in Beed district were transferred to the Forest Department for compensatory plantation of two lakh trees. The BMC had also released crores of rupees towards plantation and maintenance, he added.
“My question to Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Raj Thackeray and the Congress is whether those two lakh trees were actually planted. They should visit the 13 locations in Beed, count the trees and check how the money released by the BMC was utilised,” Satam said.
He challenged the leaders who visited Karjat to undertake a similar inspection in Beed district, alleging that photos available with him showed little evidence of the promised plantation.
Satam urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order an investigation into the implementation of compensatory afforestation under the Madhya Vaitarna project and take action against those found responsible for any lapses.
He further asserted that the Torrent project would generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Maharashtra and the electricity produced would primarily benefit the state.
(PTI News)
