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Title: Need to formulate guidelines to curb the concentration of large number of power projects in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR (NAGPUR): Madam, 47 companies have either applied or propose to contemplate to set up coal based Thermal Power Plants in the Vidarbha region. The State Government of Maharashtra has entered into an agreement with some of these companies to make available the required quantity of water. To meet their requirement of water the only possibility could be to divert the water from the irrigation projects. Thus, this would cause not only acute water shortage but also will create tremendous amount of pollution in the region. Certain districts, particularly Chandrapur is already the fourth most polluted city in the country. Considering the water shortage that exists in the Vidarbha region resulting in farmers suicides and also keeping in view adverse impact these projects will have on the rich forests and overall environment, it is necessary that this position needs to be reviewed. The Government should, therefore, formulate guidelines to curb the concentration of large power projects in one particular region as it will cause both acute water shortage as well as pollution.