Maharashtra's Forest Department has filed an FIR to stop the cable laying work on the island because the Energy Department is yet to seek approval for the project.
The electrification project of the Elephanta Caves — which was earlier stuck for six months due to coastal regulatory zone clearance — has got stalled once again due to red-tapism, which CM Fadnavis had promised to remove.
Maharashtra's Forest Department has filed an FIR to stop the cable laying work on the island because the Energy Department is yet to seek approval for the project.
Forest Department officials claim that the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), which spearheads the project, didn't apply for the clearance, despite several reminders.
The FIR has stalled the connectivity to the houses and the heritage caves being carried out by the MSEDCL since May. "We have issued several notices to MSEDCL in the past six months directing them to apply properly with all documents to get the no objection certificate. There was no other option but to file an FIR against their contractor to stop the illegal work," BD Gaikwad, Forest Officer, Uran Region, said.
Gaikwad says, "The MSEDCL has just written a simple letter to us informing that we want to electrify the island. This is not enough. They need to follow procedures duly, even if they are a government body. We may face action later if we allow this."
All the Forest Department needs is the island electrification project layout and the collector's approval letter. After two stages of inspections by Alibaug and Panvel forest officers, the file would go for final approval to the Nagpur forest office, say officials.
When asked about the FIR, Satish Karpe, Regional Director, MSEDCL, Konkan Zone, said, "We are in the process of submitting a proper proposal and hope to resolve this issue soon. Over 90 per cent work is complete now."
The heritage caves and over 1,200 inhabitants living in the three villages on the island have not seen electricity even after 70 years of independence. Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had promised that the island would be powered by October 2016, which was extended to April this year.
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