States » WestPosted at: Oct 30 2026 5:09PM


Amit Satam questions Uddhav Thackeray whether two lakh trees were planted in lieu of Madhya Vaitarna dam project

Mumbai, Oct 30 (UNI) Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam on Friday questioned Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over whether two lakh trees, promised as compensatory plantation for the Madhya Vaitarna dam project, were actually planted and demanded an account of the funds allocated for the purpose.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Satam said that during the period from 1997 to 2022, when the Shiv Sena was in power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), around one lakh trees were felled for the Madhya Vaitarna dam project, although the estimated requirement was to cut 10,000 trees.
As compensation, the BMC had transferred 540 hectares of land in Beed district to the Forest Department for planting around two lakh trees and had also provided crores of rupees for the purpose, he said.
Instead of visiting Karjat for "tourism", Thackeray should visit Beed district, count the trees planted and seek an account of the funds provided by the BMC, Satam said sarcastically.
He urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order an inquiry into the number of trees felled for the Vaitarna project and take action against those responsible.
He also sought scrutiny of the roles of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, the Congress party, actors and social activists in the matter.
Referring to the ongoing controversy over the proposed large-scale tree felling for the Torrent Power pump storage power project in the Sai Dongar area of Karjat, Satam alleged that political parties and certain groups were using environmental concerns to mislead people and obstruct development projects.
He alleged that protests against major development projects in India were sometimes backed by foreign interests through funding to certain urban networks.
Referring to intelligence reports on such activities, he claimed that NGOs, urban Naxal groups and opposition parties were now participating in these campaigns.
Satam further alleged that the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and some film personalities were involved in attempts to create unrest and obstruct India's development.
Emphasising the need to understand the concept of sustainable development, he said development should take place while maintaining ecological balance and ensuring that future generations do not suffer its adverse consequences.
He alleged that environmental protection, global warming and climate change had become fashionable topics for some political leaders and actors, who often spoke about these issues without understanding the principles of sustainable development, clean energy and climate change.
Highlighting the economic benefits of the proposed project, Satam said the 3,000 MW Torrent Power pump storage power project would generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Maharashtra.
He said the electricity generated by the project would first benefit Maharashtra, adding that such projects were important for the state's economic growth and development.
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