Raj Thackeray Visits Karjat as Tree Felling Begins for 3,000-MW Project

During his visit, Thackeray interacted with villagers affected by the proposed project. MNS leaders Bala Nandgaonkar, Avinash Jadhav and Sandeep Deshpande, among others, accompanied him.

Avinash Jadhav, who has been in Karjat for the past three days, told Mid-Day that thousands of trees had already been felled, destroying rich forest cover that supports local biodiversity.

He said Raj Thackeray interacted with tribals and gram sabha members during the visit. According to Jadhav, the villagers told Thackeray that they had not been consulted before work on the project began.

Jadhav also said Thackeray would address a public rally in Karjat on Wednesday evening.

The MNS chief's visit follows a similar visit by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday. Aaditya Thackeray, accompanied by party MP Sanjay Raut and other party leaders, had visited the site and interacted with villagers.

With tree felling underway for the proposed 3,000-MW project and 32,490 trees slated to be cut, the visits have brought the concerns of villagers and the project's impact on the region's forest cover into focus.