After Pawar, Cong leaders to now visit Nanar and meet the locals

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has decided to visit Nanar, the site of mega petrochemical refinery project next week on April 20 to meet local residence agitating against the proposed project.

Ashok Chavan, president of MPCC said, “The project can not be pushed when people are opponent of it. State and Centre can not destroy livelihood of the local people. Without thinking of their proper rehabilitation, if the project will be pushed, Congress will remain behind the project affected people,” said Chavan. He was speaking with media at Gandhi Bhavan, state office of the party on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ashok Walam, convenor of Sangharsh Samiti met Raj Thackeray, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief at KrushnaKunj, his residence.

Walam said, “I straightly asked Raj what happened about his assurance given two and half back to the people of Nanar. He had visited Nanar and assured us to speak with chief minister and will oppose the project. However, he did nothing.”

Walam further said when he insisted Raj to clear his stand whatever it will be on Nanar, Raj instructed his party leaders to oppose the project with MNS style. Raj told the delegation that he had met CM Fadnavis after returning from Nanar. Fadnavis told him as the project belongs to Central government, state could not intervene in it and hence he had (Raj) gave up the issue.

Interestingly, Uddhav Thackeray, president of Shiv Sena, will visit Nanar on April 23 and wil speak with project affected people at the site of project. Sharad Pawar, chief of Nationalist Congress Party had assured on Friday that he will visit Nanar on May 10.

The oil refinery mega project is expected investment of Rs three lakh crore. The project would need 15,000 acres of 6,018 hectares of of land. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) plan to jointly build the 60 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) refinery at a cost of Rs1.5 trillion. The oil companies may jointly hold a 51 percent stake, while the state government and a Saudi Armco - strategic investor will hold the rest.