An RTI inquiry has sought official records concerning alleged ‘Cluster-2’ plotting in Ambernath MIDC’s Additional Industrial Area, including plots reportedly located near a 400 KV transmission line. The inquiry seeks original NOCs, MIDC file notings, sanctioned layouts, meeting resolutions and technical safety reports to establish how the plots were approved. A complaint by Anil Laxman Bhoir has also called for a joint physical inspection before Building Completion Certificates are issued. Allegations concerning specific companies, individuals and officials remain unverified and require examination of official records.
400 KV Power Corridor: ‘Cluster-2’ Expansion? RTI Inquiry Into Plot Approval in Ambernath MIDC
An RTI inquiry has sought NOCs, file notings and technical documents concerning alleged ‘Cluster-2’ plotting, plots near the safety zone of a 400 KV transmission line, and industrial approvals in Ambernath MIDC.
Serious questions have emerged over administrative transparency regarding plot allocation and alleged ‘Cluster-2’ plotting near the safety corridor of a 400 KV transmission line in Ambernath MIDC.
The disputed area is located in Anandnagar MIDC’s Additional Industrial Area, with claims of around 100 to 120 plots between the area opposite Envenshia company, R.R. Circle and Thakurpada.
According to the available complaint and RTI draft, M/s Arul Cluster Association was allegedly allotted a 200-square-metre plot, for which an NOC from the electricity authority is reportedly required.
The key technical question is whether the concerned plot falls within the Right of Way or safety zone of the 400 KV extra-high-voltage transmission line.
Against this backdrop, the RTI draft seeks the original NOC, MIDC officials’ file notings, approval process, meeting resolutions, layout documents and safety inspection reports.
Cluster-2’ Plotting and the 400 KV Safety Corridor Question
A letter submitted by Anil Laxman Bhoir to MIDC Chief Engineer Prakash Chavan has formally raised allegations and called for an inquiry into the matter.
According to the letter, information has emerged regarding large-scale plotting near high-voltage transmission lines and towers between the area opposite Envenshia company, R.R. Circle and Thakurpada.
The letter alleges that around 100 to 120 plots are being created under the name ‘Cluster-2’ for future use by various companies and industrial constructions.
However, independent verification is still required to establish whether the plotting has received official approval, which layout was sanctioned and whether the electrical safety zone was considered.
For this reason, a joint physical site inspection has been demanded before Building Completion Certificates, or BCCs, are issued for the proposed industrial constructions.
Questions Over GNP Company, Nikhil Latke and Uday Dhale
Questions have also been raised regarding approval of the proposed GNP company project, with a demand for an inquiry into the roles of Nikhil Latke and Uday Dhale.
The available draft alleges that GNP company, Nikhil Latke and Uday Dhale were involved in obtaining approval for the project, although the claim requires verification through official records.
A serious allegation has also been made that the project received approval with the alleged involvement of certain MIDC officials; however, this allegation has not been established through an official inquiry.
Therefore, responsibility cannot appropriately be assigned to any individual without examining file notings, officials’ signatures, technical reports, NOCs, meeting resolutions and final approval orders.
In particular, official documents are expected to clarify which authorities approved the GNP project and what official roles Nikhil Latke and Uday Dhale held in the process.
RTI Seeks NOC and Approval-File Records
A significant development in the matter is the attempt to obtain documents relating to the entire approval process through the Right to Information mechanism.
The available RTI draft seeks the original or certified copy of the alleged NOC submitted by M/s Arul Cluster Association, along with MIDC’s NOC verification report and related file notings.
It also seeks note sheets, approval orders, officials’ comments and minutes of the MMC meeting held on November 24, 2023, concerning the plot allocation.
Documents relating to the registration, constitution and office-bearers of Arul Cluster Association, along with applicable MIDC rules governing plot allocation in safety-sensitive areas, have also been sought.
These records could establish the sequence of approvals, the departments involved in scrutiny and the basis on which the final decision was taken.
Technical Verification of the 400 KV Safety Distance Required
The complaint draft refers to the Central Electricity Authority Regulations, 2022 and relevant Indian Standards while raising questions concerning the safety corridor of the 400 KV transmission line.
The draft refers to approximately 46 to 52 metres as the Right of Way or safety corridor; however, the actual applicable distance must be determined by competent technical authorities based on site-specific conditions.
The tower structure, transmission-line configuration, ground conditions and applicable regulations must be considered before any final conclusion is reached through an official survey and physical measurement.
Therefore, rather than focusing only on figures such as 46 or 52 metres, the demand is for an official measurement of the actual distance between the towers and the proposed constructions.
Joint Site Inspection Sought Before BCC
Anil Bhoir’s letter has demanded that no BCC should be issued without a joint site inspection by the Executive Engineer, Ambernath, the Chief Engineer, Andheri, and the concerned electricity department.
According to the letter, the actual safety distance should be measured, a report prepared, and a decision on the Building Completion Certificate taken only after written consent from the concerned electricity department.
The stated focus of the demand is not opposition to industrial development, but ensuring the safety of workers and the surrounding area against potential high-voltage risks.
The letter also raises the concern that even if an NOC or BCC is issued on paper, serious consequences could arise if actual safety conditions remain inadequate.
Action Sought if Unauthorised Plotting or Violations Are Found
If an inquiry establishes unauthorised plotting, construction contrary to applicable rules or violations of electrical safety standards, action has been sought against the concerned landowners, developers, company or responsible persons under applicable law.
The demand also seeks certified copies of any previously issued NOCs, licences or BCCs, along with site inspection reports, safety inspection reports and written consent from the concerned electricity department.
The draft further states that if any document is found during an inquiry to have been obtained through false information or subsequently established as forged, action may be sought under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and applicable provisions of the Electricity Act.
However, there is currently no available information establishing that any document has officially been declared forged or that a criminal case has been registered in connection with this matter.
Also Read: SCI Turns 65 as Sonowal Links Expansion to India’s 2047 Vision
15-Day Deadline Sought for Action Taken Report
Anil Bhoir’s letter has demanded a detailed inquiry into the matter and a written Action Taken Report within 15 days.
The letter also warns that if an attempt is made to issue BCCs without a joint site inspection, verification of safety distances or written consent from the electricity department, a democratic protest movement may be launched.
Against this backdrop, answers are being sought on the official approval of ‘Cluster-2’, the sanctioned layout for the alleged 100 to 120 plots and the actual safety distance from the 400 KV transmission line.
It is also necessary to establish which officials scrutinised the GNP company project, who granted the final approval and what official roles Nikhil Latke and Uday Dhale played in the process.
Administration Expected to Respond Through Documents
Determining the truth of the allegations requires more than political or administrative claims; the original file, NOC, technical reports and complete approval chain must be examined.
If all approvals were granted in accordance with applicable rules, the administration has an opportunity to clarify the process through certified documents and address questions surrounding the approvals.
Conversely, if unauthorised approvals, inadequate safety scrutiny, incorrect information or discrepancies in documents are established, an official inquiry could provide the basis for determining responsibility.
The central issue is not to declare any individual or company guilty, but to establish whether industrial development approvals complied with public and worker safety requirements.
For Sprouts News, independent verification based on RTI documents, official responses and technical reports obtained during the next stage will be important to understanding the complete approval process.
Paper Approval or Actual Safety?’ Remains the Central Question
The question raised in Anil Bhoir’s letter — whether a BCC is more important than worker safety — could become a key test of the administration’s decision-making process.
Whether the ‘Cluster-2’ expansion complied with applicable rules, how the GNP project was approved and whether the concerned NOC was technically safety-based all require documentary answers.
The RTI documents, file notings, approval orders, source of the NOC, technical reports and findings of any joint site inspection could become decisive in the next stage of the inquiry.
No final conclusion can be reached until the documents and official inspections are examined; meanwhile, all allegations and claims should continue to be presented cautiously with due regard to the positions of the concerned parties.
Industrial development, investment and employment remain important, but every approval involving high-voltage electrical infrastructure should give the highest priority to safety, transparency and compliance with applicable regulations.
