Karjat MLA Mahendra Thorve backs Torrent project but wants locals' issues resolved first

Local MLA Mahendra Thorve has publicly backed the Torrent project proposed in Karjat taluka. He says that if the project comes up, the state will get more electricity and Maharashtra will become power-rich. Thorve spelt out his position at a time when the project is facing opposition from all quarters.

According to Thorve, both the Centre and the state government have approved the project so that the state does not face a power shortage. He said he would therefore cooperate fully in the work. He also said such a project would develop the area. The project will be of great help to the state government, and it has given the project the green signal for that reason, he said.

He also raised the issue of jobs. He said that when a project comes up, jobs are created for locals in large numbers. In a taluka like his, which has no industries, young people will get jobs through this project, he said.

However, he has attached a condition to his support. Thorve said his stand is that the project should not move ahead until the problems of the locals whose land will be taken for it are resolved. He said he would keep working to get the state government to resolve the problems of local farmers and villagers. He also said the work on the dam should not proceed until the locals' problems are addressed.

Thorve drew attention to the announcement by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that the state government will extend all possible cooperation in this matter. He said that, therefore, there is no obstacle to the project coming up.

He also spoke on the felling of trees. Trees are currently being cut at the site where the dam is to be built. Thorve said trees can be felled while a project is under way, but his stand is that two to three times as many trees must be planted as are cut, and that this must be done. He said the state government will plant twice the number of trees felled, and Torrent will also be made to plant trees. The Forest Department will take care of conserving those trees.

MLA Mahendra Thorve said that they are of the view that the dam should be built and electricity generated from it, and that they stand behind the government's position.