A proposed hydroelectric project by Torrent Power in Maharashtra’s Karjat taluka has triggered fresh environmental concerns after reports emerged of trees being cut in the project’s proposed submergence area. Local environmental activists are questioning whether the necessary permissions have been obtained and why tree felling has begun before land acquisition and rehabilitation are completed.
The controversy comes as the ₹13,500-crore project moves towards a possible foundation ceremony in early November 2026.
3,000 MW Project Planned in Raigad District
Torrent Power is planning a 3,000 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric project in the Saidongar area near Pali Tarfe Kotwal Khalati village in Karjat taluka, Raigad district.
The project is expected to cost approximately ₹13,500 crore and require around 370 hectares of land, including a substantial area of forest land. It is planned along the Pej River and involves constructing two reservoirs.
The upper dam is proposed to be 27 metres high, while the lower dam is expected to reach 59 metres. Pumped-storage hydropower projects generally store energy by moving water between reservoirs at different elevations, allowing electricity to be generated when demand rises.
Although such projects can support grid stability and renewable energy integration, their environmental and social impacts depend on the location, construction methods and land requirements.
Tree Felling Sparks Questions Over Permissions
According to a report by Loksatta, trees are being cut in the proposed submergence area around Saidongar using electric cutting equipment. Workers have reportedly been deployed to remove the felled trees.
The Karjat Environmental Protection Committee has objected to the activity, questioning who authorised the tree cutting and whether the required forest land transfer and other permissions are in place.
Committee coordinator and advocate Kailash More has called for the felling to stop immediately, warning that the group could launch a stronger protest if the activity continues.
These are allegations raised by local activists. The available report does not independently establish that the company has carried out illegal tree felling, and the relevant permissions would need to be verified with the authorities.
Six Villages Could Be Affected
The project is expected to involve land from six villages: Bhaliwadi, Ambot, Potal, Pali, Saidongar and Dhak.
Land acquisition, rehabilitation and the displacement of affected residents are among the concerns surrounding the development. Local communities have also raised broader questions about the impact on forests, wildlife habitats, water resources and traditional livelihoods.
Opposition to the project has been building for months. Residents and environmental groups have previously challenged aspects of the project and called for construction-related activities to be halted until their concerns are addressed.
The latest tree-felling controversy has intensified demands for greater transparency regarding forest clearances, land transfers and the project’s implementation.
Possible November Foundation Ceremony Adds Urgency
The project could see a foundation ceremony on November 3, 2026, potentially attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to local media reports. The ceremony has not been treated here as a confirmed event.
With the proposed date approaching, environmental activists are seeking answers about the status of permissions and the sequence of work being undertaken at the site.
Development Versus Environmental Protection
The Karjat controversy highlights the challenges of building large energy infrastructure in forested and ecologically sensitive areas. Pumped-storage projects can help balance electricity supply, but their benefits must be assessed alongside the consequences for forests, biodiversity and local communities.
The immediate questions are whether the tree felling is properly authorised, whether applicable forest and environmental requirements are being followed, and how the concerns of affected residents will be addressed.
The responses of Torrent Power and the relevant government departments will be important in establishing the facts and determining how the project proceeds.
Summary
Torrent Power’s proposed 3,000 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric project in Karjat, Maharashtra, is facing environmental opposition after reports of tree felling in its proposed submergence area. The ₹13,500-crore project involves two reservoirs and land across six villages. Local activists are demanding that tree cutting stop until permissions and land-related issues are clarified, while concerns over forests, wildlife and rehabilitation remain unresolved.
