Overview
- The Union environment ministry and Maharashtra forest department are investigating a huge gap between the project cost recorded in the environmental clearance and a later affidavit submitted by the developer.
- The environmental clearance logged the Tarali pumped-storage project’s estimated cost at ₹5,675 crore for regulatory purposes.
- Adani Green Energy submitted a notarised affidavit listing the project cost as ₹56.75 crore and said that figure only covers site investigation and survey work while denying any intent to reduce statutory obligations.
- Maharashtra forest officials say they have asked the company to explain the reduction and provide supporting documents and the ministry has directed the state to treat the matter as a priority; media reports conflict on whether any lower payment was accepted.
- If a lower cost is treated as valid it would sharply lower the required conservation contribution, which can be up to 4% of project cost, so the probe will determine owed payments and set a procedural precedent for projects in eco-sensitive buffers.