The Maharashtra government’s ambitious plan to set up a 3,300-MW coal-fired power plant in Dondaicha, Dhule district, has been officially shelved. The project, proposed by the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd. (MAHAGENCO), was abandoned due to stiff local resistance to land acquisition and the cancellation of coal mine allocations.

The plant, designed as a 5×660 MW facility, was expected to boost the State’s electricity generation capacity significantly. However, challenges surrounding land procurement and community opposition proved insurmountable according to the Union Ministry of Power. The Ministry recently told the Lok Sabha that MAHAGENCO had acquired 540.05 hectares of private and government land for the project, but local communities raised strong objections.

Farmers and residents of Dhule expressed concerns over displacement, loss of agricultural land, and potential environmental harm. The lack of consensus with the affected population ultimately stalled the project.

The cancellation of the Dondaicha plant highlights the growing challenges in balancing large-scale development with community and environmental concerns.

Maharashtra continues to pursue other coal-based thermal projects, including a 660 MW plant in Bhusawal (Jalgaon), a 2×660 MW facility in Koradi (Nagpur), and an 800 MW plant in Chandrapur.