Ex-Minister, Environmentalists Flag Corruption Claims in Sharavathi Project

Accusations of corruption have surfaced regarding the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project, with a former minister joining environmental activists in questioning the project's implementation and oversight mechanisms.

The allegations centre on the manner in which the pumped storage scheme has been developed and administered, with critics pointing to potential procedural lapses and inadequate environmental safeguards. The project, which aims to harness hydroelectric potential in the Sharavathi river basin in Karnataka, has drawn scrutiny over its impact on the region's delicate ecosystem.

Environmental groups have expressed particular concern about the project's potential effects on forest cover and wildlife habitats in the Western Ghats region. The critics contend that proper due diligence protocols may not have been followed during the project's approval and execution phases.

The allegations have prompted calls for a comprehensive review of the project's administrative and environmental clearance processes. Stakeholders have demanded greater transparency in decision-making and a reassessment of the project's alignment with environmental protection standards and regulatory requirements.

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions between infrastructure development ambitions and environmental conservation priorities in India's hydroelectric sector, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas.