CM Fadnavis Backs Karjat Hydro Project, Cites Energy Security Needs
Mumbai, October 27: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has launched a robust defence of the proposed Karjat pumped storage hydro project in Raigad district, calling it environmentally sound and crucial for grid stability. His remarks came on Tuesday in response to opposition protests against the plan.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that solar and wind energy generate clean power but noted they cannot function continuously. He said pumped storage provides a pollution-free mechanism to balance renewable energy and deliver uninterrupted power at all times.
The controversy has grown significantly because the project requires large-scale tree felling in the area, prompting serious political debate and concern among environmentalists.
Fadnavis argued that the opposition is politicising an important green energy initiative without grasping the technical realities. The 3,000 MW project, he noted, compensates for thermal power generation, which would otherwise require planting 28 crore trees to address coal pollution.
The forest department will plant 90,000 trees as part of environmental safeguards, and 60,000 additional trees will be planted directly on the Karjat project site.
While accepting that some trees must be cut, the Chief Minister said the environmental impact is temporary. By building a clean energy storage system, he added, the state is preventing environmental decline that could be thousands of times greater in future.
He further explained that generating equivalent energy through conventional coal plants would cause heavy pollution, comparable to the emissions of 4 crore vehicles.
He contrasted battery storage systems, which last about 25 years, with pumped storage infrastructure, which can work effectively for around 80 years, thereby safeguarding the environment for coming generations.
Fadnavis said solar and wind power are insufficient on their own, as they are not available 24 hours and can destabilise the grid. Pumped storage, he stated, serves as a necessary green grid-support system.
He reiterated that the operational lifespan of pumped storage technology is nearly 80 years and that it is vital for securing clean energy for future generations.
Refuting opposition claims, he noted that China has developed pumped storage infrastructure of over 60,000 MW and stressed that Karjat was selected only after rigorous viability assessment.
He compared the current opposition stance with past legal disputes over the Aarey car shed project, which the Supreme Court ultimately rejected. He said the state government is ready to listen to genuine concerns but criticised politics surrounding essential clean energy infrastructure.
Responding to demands that the project be moved to regions like Marathwada or Vidarbha, the Chief Minister clarified that pumped storage cannot be built anywhere. It requires specific geographical terrain and topography, making Karjat an ideal location.
The state government maintains that the project is fully environmentally friendly, lies outside the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary boundaries, and is essential for Maharashtra's sustainable energy transition.