Supreme court rejects appeal against Jayakwadi floating solar project

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the Kahar Samaj Panch Committee challenging the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) approval of a floating solar power project in Jayakwadi Dam. The bench, comprising Justice Suryakant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, upheld the NGT’s decision, allowing the project to proceed.

The Tehri Hydro Development Corporation had invited tenders for the initiative, which faced opposition from the Kahar Samaj Panch Committee. The group argued before the NGT that the site is an "eco-sensitive zone" as designated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. They contended that the project would threaten biodiversity and disrupt avian species in the region. However, the NGT repeatedly asked the petitioners to present legal provisions barring floating solar projects in eco-sensitive zones, to which they failed to provide a definitive response. Additionally, when questioned about the project's location relative to the Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary, they could not offer a clear answer.

The Supreme Court acknowledged the importance of genuine environmental concerns raised by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) but highlighted the rising trend of certain groups opposing projects under the guise of ecological protection, often influenced by competing interests. With this ruling, the path remains clear for the implementation of the floating solar power project in Jayakwadi Dam.