Opinion divided on Konkan oil refinery project

Mumbai: After the Jaitapur nuclear power project row, another protest is brewing in the Konkan over a mega oil refinery project worth around Rs 1 lakh crore to be set up in Nanar and 16 villages of Rajapur tehsil, Ratnagiri, by the Centre.

Villagers are strongly opposing the project even as the process for land acquisition has started. Meanwhile, opinion on the project seems divided as a certain group claims to have the support of villagers and is ready for the project. This group will meet chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on September 12 in Mumbai. Whereas, another group which claims to have resolutions of all gram sabhas opposing the project, is firmly against it.

The Maharashtra government has declared this zone of 14,000 acres as an industrial area and has started the land acquisition process through its industrial body, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). However, a large number of villagers is against setting up of the project in their area due to environmental concerns. Ashok Walam, a villager who is part of the agitation, said, “We will not allow this project to be set up in our villages. We come under an environmentally sensitive area. We are happy with our traditional means of livelihood such as horticulture and fisheries. The government is trying to forcibly snatch our land.”

With factions of villagers pro and against the project, the group who is for the project but demands greater compensation will meet the CM on Tuesday. Local Shiv Sena MLA, Rajan Salavi, will lead this delegation.

“We will meet the CM and put forth our demands. We have not supported the project yet. The decision will be taken only after consulting all stakeholders.”