Torrent Power storage project at Sai hills splits Mahayuti allies in Karjat

Politics has heated up over Torrent Power's proposed energy storage project in the Sai hills area of Karjat taluka, Raigad district. The project was already facing opposition from all sides, and now allies within the Mahayuti have also raised objections. While local residents, environmentalists and political opponents are opposing it, the ruling side now has to face its own allies as well.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Mahendra Thorve has taken a stand in favour of the project. He says it will create employment opportunities for locals. On the other hand, Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) Raigad district president Sudhakar Ghare has opposed it, citing tree felling and local resistance.

Ghare asked why Thorve was backing such a large project when it faced opposition, and when locals were against it. Criticising Thorve's stand, he stressed that the interests of locals must be considered. He also alleged that projects that harm locals are being brought in.

The Torrent Power project is a 3,000-megawatt hydroelectric energy storage project. It is proposed in the Sai hills area, and villagers are reported to be unhappy over the related tree felling. It has also been claimed that the felling will go on for nearly six months.

Local villagers, farmers and environmental organisations have registered objections on the issue. The Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the Peasants and Workers Party have also opposed the tree felling. The opposition is thus not confined to a single party or faction.

The NCP's Ghare claimed that locals had objected strongly at the public hearing on the project. He also asked how the project was being taken forward in such circumstances.

With the question of job creation on one side and demands to protect the forest and the local environment on the other, all eyes are now on what decisions follow on the Sai hills project and what stand the administration takes on the tree felling and the objections of locals.