Kolhapur: Guardian minister Jaykumar Gore on Sunday said the proposed AI data centre, green hydrogen plant, nuclear reactor and floating solar project around Ujani dam would not harm the reservoir and urged politicians not to “misguide” farmers opposing them.
“These projects will not do even 0.1% harm to Ujani dam. In April, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced proposed investments worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore around Ujani, expected to create 2,800 permanent jobs. The plans include a 2GW floating solar project worth Rs 14,976 crore, with 500 permanent jobs; a 1.4GW sustainable AI campus and data centre involving Rs 1.1 lakh crore and 1,000 direct jobs; a 6,900-metric-tonne green hydrogen plant involving Rs 3,071 crore and around 1,000 direct jobs; and a 440MW twin-unit small modular reactor involving Rs 33,200 crore and 300 permanent jobs.
Fadnavis had said MoUs were signed with private companies for the projects.
Do not attempt to misguide the farmers,” he said. Gore was speaking at Katphal during a visit to drought-affected villages. They will benefit it instead. The projects are not coming over the dam, but in its catchment area. They are the need of the hour and will show a new path of development for Solapur district. I appeal to people to help instead of opposing and doing politics over it.
Mohite Patil said Pawar advised them to gather complete information and consult all stakeholders before deciding whether to support or oppose the projects. His remarks came a day after Madha NCP (SP) MP Dhairyashil Mohite Patil met party chief Sharad Pawar with farmers and fishermen opposing the projects. Some farmers have received notices to vacate land allotted to them for cultivation. He alleged that the govt had not shared details with farmers or elected representatives.
Similarly, setting up a nuclear reactor is also dangerous,” he said. “There is no water in the dam. Ujani dam’s water is polluted. We need answers on how this water will be filtered and how wastewater will be disposed of.
Last year, the dam overflowed but again hit the bottom within the next few months.