Nanar refinery’s future in limbo after BJP gives in to Shiv Sena

After BJP promised shifting of the Nanar refinery project to Shiv Sena in return of a pre-poll alliance, uncertainty looms large over the future of the project. Also, the functioning of the state’s five-member committee headed by former chief secretary DM Sukthankar that looks into the land disputes and resettlement issues. Although chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has hinted relocation of the Rs 3 lakh crore refinery project to pacify Sena, he has not specified the alternative sites. Sources indicated that the project may be shifted to Raigad or Gujarat.

The committee recently held an interactive session with villagers and other stake holder at the project site. The state has roped in IIT-Bombay and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to conduct environment impact assessment of the 15,000 acre where the project will come up. Pune-based Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics will do social economic analysis.

“So far there is no formal government order. We have learnt it through media reports. The refinery project will spur growth and create more jobs in Konkan. However, the state needs to take legitimate steps for rehabilitation of project affected people.” Spokesperson for the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, which is executing the project, said that the company will continue to work as in the past until orders received from the state government.

Villagers under the aegis of Konkan Refinery Prakalp Virodhi Sangharsh Sanghatana met Uddhav Thackeray. ”Our agitation will continue till government withdraws its notification. Thackeray has asked state environment minister Ramdas Kadam to take up the proposal for the approval of cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday,” said Satyajit Chavan, member of the opposing villagers group.