Explained in graphics: How Adani Green’s Satara project cost dropped by 99%

The Tarali pumped storage project in Maharashtra’s Satara district, with a capacity of 1,500 megawatts, has seen its declared cost plummet by a staggering 99% from Rs 5,675 crore to Rs 56.75 crore, according to documents reviewed by The Indian Express. This significant reduction also leads to a proportional decrease in the wildlife conservation deposit required from Adani Green Energy, from Rs 227 crore to approximately Rs 2.27 crore.

The Maharashtra forest department has accepted this revised cost, with Adani Green Energy depositing Rs 56.75 lakh, which represents 1% of the new figure. The remaining balance is due once the National Board for Wildlife clears the project, which is situated in the eco-sensitive zone of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.

The project is located on the Tarali dam reservoir in Satara’s Patan taluka, within the deemed eco-sensitive zone of the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. The project spans 150.74 hectares of non-forest land across four villages. According to part of the wildlife conservation rules, projects within a sanctuary’s deemed eco-sensitive zone are required to deposit up to 4% of their cost for conservation purposes. For the Tarali project, this translates to a conservation deposit of Rs 227 crore.

In a notarised affidavit, Adani Green Energy submitted the project cost at Rs 56.75 crore, which is one-hundredth of the Rs 5,675 crore stated in its Environment Clearance. This substantial reduction in cost also results in a proportional decrease in the conservation deposit that the company must pay to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

The Maharashtra forest department has duly accepted this revised cost, with Adani Green Energy depositing Rs 56.75 lakh, which is 1% of the updated amount. The remainder of the deposit is due upon approval from the National Board for Wildlife, which is currently overseeing the project.

The revised cost of the Tarali project is the result of a two-pronged process: the approvals obtained by Adani Green Energy and the complaint that triggered an inquiry. On November 6, Satara’s Honorary Wildlife Warden, Rohan Bhate, lodged a complaint with the Prime Minister’s grievance portal and the Maharashtra Chief Minister via the Aaple Sarkar portal, alleging an incorrect cost for the project.

This complaint led to a priority investigation by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Maharashtra forest department has been directed to investigate the matter at the earliest.

The revised cost of the Tarali pumped storage project is still pending the approval of the National Board for Wildlife, and three inquiries are currently underway: one by the Maharashtra forest department, one by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and one by the National Board for Wildlife.