After local residents visited Shivtirth and apprised Thackeray of the damage they feared the project could cause, he promised to tour Karjat-Bhimashankar and inspect the site personally. Fulfilling that commitment, Thackeray arrived at Sai Dongar on the morning of October 28, where large-scale tree felling has been reported.
During the visit, Thackeray interacted with local residents and listened to their concerns. He also appealed to them to attend a public meeting scheduled for the evening.
Videos showing extensive tree felling in Karjat-Bhimashankar have gone viral on social media, triggering widespread anger. Environmentalists have raised concerns over the Sahyadri mountain ranges losing their tree cover in the name of development. A demand is gaining momentum for such projects not to be implemented in Maharashtra in this manner. Against this backdrop, Thackeray has joined the opposition to the proposed project in Karjat-Bhimashankar.
The proposed hydropower energy storage project belongs to Gujarat-based Torrent Power and is planned for the Sai Dongar area. With an estimated investment of ₹13,500 crore and a capacity of 3,000 megawatts, the project is expected to require extensive land clearance. Concerns have been raised that more than three lakh trees could be cut down to facilitate its construction.
The anticipated environmental consequences include the possible destruction of the natural habitats of birds and wildlife. The project could also affect soil conservation on mountain slopes, natural water flows, traditional farming and tourism in the region.
The growing opposition centres on concerns about the potential damage to Karjat-Bhimashankar's natural resources in the name of development. Thackeray's visit to Sai Dongar and his interaction with residents have brought the proposed project and its potential environmental consequences into sharper public focus.
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