Investigations by The Indian Express have revealed a shocking 99% cost reduction in Adani Green Energy’s Tarali pumped storage project, located in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats.
The project’s estimated cost was originally recorded at ₹5,675 crore, but it was later revised to just ₹56.75 crore, citing an ‘analogous estimation.’
However, this drastic cost revision has significant implications for conservation funds, as the company is required to contribute 4% of the total project cost toward the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. The reduced contribution from ₹227 crore to just ₹2.27 crore has raised eyebrows.
Context: The Tarali Project
Located in the Western Ghats, a deemed eco-sensitive zone, the Tarali project is under scrutiny for its potential environmental impact. The project is situated on private land, but concerns have been raised about the company’s transparency in explaining the massive reduction in the project’s financial estimate.
**Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**, along with the **Maharashtra Forest Department**, have launched investigations into the approval process following a complaint by local honorary wildlife warden **Rohan Bhate**.
Response from Adani Green Energy
While the company maintains that the project would have no negative ecological impact, they have not provided a detailed public explanation for the drastic cost reduction.
"The project is situated on private land, and we have followed all necessary regulatory procedures," said a spokesperson for Adani Green Energy.
What Happens Next
The investigations into the Tarali project’s approval process are ongoing, with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Maharashtra Forest Department expected to release their findings soon.
The controversy surrounding the project highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the approval process for such large-scale infrastructure projects.
Reports suggest that the project’s fate may be decided in the coming weeks, with the court set to hear the case on November 20th.