Sanjay Raut questions order to fell 32,490 trees in Karjat ahead of PM Modi's visit

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has questioned the Maharashtra government over an order to immediately fell 32,490 trees in Karjat in Raigad district. The order has been issued ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit on November 3, 2026. The visit is linked to a 3,000 MW pumped storage hydropower project.

Raut shared on X a letter dated October 14. It was issued by Sameer Shinde, Range Forest Officer, Karjat East. The letter says permission has been granted to remove 32,490 trees affected by the proposed Saidongar-I Karjat off-stream open loop pumped storage project. The planned capacity of the project is 3,000 MW.

The letter refers to approvals for the diversion of 233 hectares of forest land for the project. This includes 197.0272 hectares of reserved forest, 26.066 hectares of private forest and 9.9068 hectares of protected forest. The project is being built by Torrent PSP 3 Private Limited. The work is taking place in the villages of Pali, Kotal Khalati, Saidongar and Dhak in Karjat taluka.

According to the letter, the felling should be limited to the 32,490 trees covered by the approved proposal. Officials are also to ensure that no additional trees are cut and that the conditions of the approved proposal are not violated.

The letter says that, in view of the Prime Minister's proposed visit on November 3, 2026 for the inauguration of the project, the affected trees in the project area should be removed immediately. The concerned forest guard has also been directed to properly classify the timber and other material from the felled trees and store it at a suitable place.

The letter refers specifically to the affected trees. It does not direct the felling of all trees in the Bhimashankar area.

Sharing the letter, Raut alleged that an order to fell trees was being issued ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. He sought a reply from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and asked whether the order was genuine. Raut also said that forests, water and land do not belong to the BJP.

Raut also tagged senior advocate and BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha member Ujjwal Nikam. He asked Nikam to be a lawyer for the people and not to defend those he accused of destroying greenery.

Opposition leaders and environmental activists are criticising the project over fears of reduced forest cover in the Karjat area. The controversy centres on the felling of trees on such a large scale for the hydropower project and its possible impact on the environment.