Residents oppose 2,500-MW power project in Talegaon

People are protesting as they say the project carries environment-related hazards. Darshan Hiranandani,managing director,HEGC,on Tuesday,held a meeting with over 2,000 residents of Navlakh Umbre to address the issues that are being raised.

“The project consists of generation of electricity from natural gas,one of the most environment-friendly fuel options available and it is hazardless to the environment and people in the surrounding area,” said Hiranandani.

The project,spread over 250 acres,aims at generating about 2,500 MW electricity from natural gas after it is fully functional,which is expected to be three years from the date of commencement. The project consists of a power plant on the acquired land which will produce 356 MW electricity within 10 months from the date from which the construction of the plant begins.

Given the current electricity deficit of the state which is over 5,000 MW,the project,once fully functional,the projec is estimated to fulfill minimum 50 per cent of the state’s electricity requirements.

“The project uses the most modern technology and fulfills all the requirements for meeting the environment- friendly status. Further,the company aims at planting 10,000 tress in the area surrounding the plant. Water purification,releasing the exhaust gases above 60 meters through a chimney are the precautions that have already been taken,” said Hiranandani.

After about two years to land acquisition from over 50 farmers in the area,the project was passed in the public hearing in February this year. Since then agitations by residents have brought the construction of the plant to a halt. With 900 employees required during the construction phase,the company claims to generate an employment of over 700 with preference to local people.