New Highway Project Threatens Environment and Displaces Communities in Maharashtra
72,790 trees, 21 ponds and 209 wells to go for new highway connecting with Vadhavan Port
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
The construction of a highway from Varor village to Tawa village in Palghar district, Maharashtra, to connect with the proposed Vadhavan Port will result in the loss of 72,790 trees, 21 ponds, and 209 wells. The project has faced criticism from environmentalists for its potential ecological impact and displacement of local communities.
- 01Highway construction will lead to the removal of 72,790 trees and 611 houses.
- 02The project will require acquiring 244.18 hectares of land from 5,214 persons.
- 03Environmentalists argue the project is unnecessary due to existing road connections.
- 04The Maharashtra government will pay ₹197.07 crore in compensation for affected properties.
- 05Concerns raised about the ecological impact and the government's ability to manage compensatory plantation efforts.
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The planned highway from Varor village to Tawa village in Palghar district, Maharashtra, aims to provide direct connectivity to the proposed Vadhavan Port. However, this project will have significant environmental repercussions, including the destruction of 72,790 trees, 21 ponds, and 209 wells, alongside the demolition of 611 houses. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board are overseeing the development of Vadhavan Port, which is expected to enhance regional connectivity. The highway will affect several villages in Dahanu and Palghar talukas, requiring the acquisition of 244.18 hectares of land from 5,214 individuals. Compensation of ₹197.07 crore will be provided to those displaced. Critics, including environmental activists like Debi Goenka and D Stalin, argue that the project is unnecessary and will lead to irreversible ecological damage, warning that the region may face severe environmental degradation. They call for a reconsideration of the project's necessity, citing existing toll roads that already connect to the port.
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The highway construction will displace hundreds of families, including tribals and farmers, and lead to significant ecological damage in the region.
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