Malshej Power Push: ₹6,815 Crore Project Begins EIA

The Union environment ministry’s sectoral Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has granted preliminary Terms of Reference (ToR) approval for THDC’s proposed 1,200 MW pumped hydropower project near Malshej Ghat in Maharashtra’s Thane and Pune districts.

This approval allows Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies to commence, with the EAC directing THDC to provide detailed water-utilisation mapping. The project—located in the Kalu River valley, near popular monsoon destinations and within eco-sensitive villages identified in the Centre’s 2024 Western Ghats draft notification—will use a closed-loop system to avoid continuous withdrawal of river water. Estimated at ₹6,815 crore, the project requires 310 hectares of land, including 74 hectares of forest, and is situated about three kilometres from the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary.

The EAC has further instructed THDC to secure hydrological clearances from the Central Water Commission and the Maharashtra government, citing concerns that feeder streams could be impacted. The committee emphasised that no local rivulets should be disturbed during project development. A sub-committee will conduct a site inspection before the next stage of appraisal.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.