BJP gives in to Sena demand, may move Nanar refinery project to Raigad
If sources from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) are to be believed, then the state government has plans of shifting the controversial mega oil refinery project from Nanar in Ratnagiri to Roha or Mangaon in Raigad. This move comes after stiff opposition by local farmers to this project. Shiv Sena, the alliance partner in state government, supported the farmers saying their fertile farm lands have to be saved. Sena has been adamant on this demand and has not relented to continue their alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the next Lok Sabha (LS) elections.
However, CM Devendra Fadnavis, though refuted reports of shifting the project, revealed the government has not cancelled it, which leaves a window open for negotiation. A highly placed IOC official told The Free Press Journal, their firm has begun scouting for a new location for the refinery project. IOC has the highest stake of 25 per cent in the Rs 3 lakh crore Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPL). The official said that they are looking for around 15,000-acre land in Roha or Mangaon. In the given conditions they have preferred Roha as a safe place for the refinery.
At the same time, the locals here got a wind of the plan recently. A resident of Deev, Uddesh Wadkar, pointed that the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has already acquired around 300-acre land at Chamera near his village. “I heard that the land was reserved for Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF). Now, there is a speculation that this land will be handed over to RRRL. Wadkar's words carry weightage since his wife Urvashi is a sarpanch who is aware of the land acquisition plan.
Chamera MIDC is located on Roha-Revdanda road around 30 kms away from Roha.
Apart from this another 700acre private land and around 450-acre land belonging to Nawab (owned by them during Muslim warriors regime, now transferred by the names of their heirs) is also available in the area. It could be handed over to MIDC. The land is spread over villages including Deev, Nhave, Chandgaon, Shedsar (all from Roha taluka), Talekhar, Savrol, Chordhe, Satirde, Tadgaon, Tadwadi, Shirgaon, Walke, Yesde, Ambivli and Valke (all from Murud taluka) has been acquired for MIDC.
Rajan Salvi, a Shiv Sena legislator from Rajapur and Vinayak Raut, member of parliament from RatnagiriSindhudurg said they are unaware of the new plan.
“I am not sure about it. But, it will be a big achievement for the Shiv Sena if it comes true,” said Raut. In a reply to series of questions through text messages, Fadnavis said, “There is no plan of shifting refinery from Nanar.” In a reply to another question, Fadnavis said, “The oil refinery project is not cancelled by the state.”
In November last year, Fadnavis had announced in the House during winter session that the government has brought a stay in the Nanar project.
Indian Oil Corporation has the highest stake of 25 per cent in the Rs 3 lakh crore Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. They are looking for around 15,000-acre land in Roha or Mangaon. In the given conditions they have preferred Roha as a safe place for the refinery — IOC OFFICIAL