Bombay HC rejects PIL against Tata Power

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has dismissed farmers' plea opposing land acquisition by Tata Power for its 1,600 MW power project in Raigad district of Maharashtra.

A division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Roshan Dalvi ruled that the company can go ahead with the construction of the project with certain riders.

"The respondents shall not put up any construction whatsoever in the area under the mangroves on the coastline of villages Dherand and Shahapur and keep the area clear strictly in accordance with the judgment of this court," the court ruled.

"The judgment clears the deck for the power project which will enhance power supply to the state," said a senior counsel connected with the matter. The total investment in the project is around 8, 000 crore, he said.

In April 2005, Tata Power singed a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra government for setting up the power project.