Battle Brews in Maharashtra as Locals Resist Saudi-backed Refinery

Thousands of residents in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India, are fervently protesting against the construction of the world's largest petrochemical refinery in the ecologically fragile Konkan belt. The project, backed by global giants Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in collaboration with Indian state-run oil majors, has faced vehement opposition for nearly a decade. Villagers, led by women, have taken to the streets, staging protests, hunger strikes, and even shaving their heads to express their dissent.

The locals argue that the acquisition of the expansive laterite plateau, encompassing cliffside fishing villages, mango orchards, and ancient petroglyphs, for the refinery would compromise their pristine environment. The proposed refinery poses threats to the fishing industry, with restrictions on fishing in a 10-kilometer radius due to crude tankers moored at sea. Mango growers, renowned for their prized Alphonso mangoes, fear that air pollution and deforestation resulting from the refinery would severely damage their yields.

The project's history has been marked by political expedience, with successive state governments in Maharashtra supporting or challenging the refinery depending on their positions in power. The project, initially planned as a $40 billion venture, has faced significant delays, leading to a reduction in its size by a third. It was originally intended to be constructed in Nanar village but was relocated to Barsu village after facing strong opposition from residents and environmental groups. The present-day government, a coalition of Uddhav Thackeray's party and the BJP, alleges that resistance to the project is politically motivated and asserts that it is a non-polluting green refinery.

However, the claims made by government officials are contradicted by evidence on the ground. Soil testing for the project took place in close proximity to the petroglyphs, despite assertions that they would not be affected. Villagers maintain that they were deceived into selling their land at low prices to investors, including politicians and civil servants, without being informed of the refinery project. Activists have called attention to the fact that the fate of the region is being decided by a few investors rather than the local population. Divisions over the refinery extend beyond geography, with differences arising based on class and ideological leanings. While some individuals in larger towns support the project, citing potential economic benefits and job creation, villagers and those whose traditional livelihoods are directly impacted strongly oppose it. Local resistance groups have a history of successfully driving away major industrial projects in the region, and the current movement is gaining momentum, with campaigns urging people to vote against politicians and parties in favor of the refinery.

The battle in Maharashtra reflects a recurring conflict between India's economic ambitions and the ecological sensitivities of its people. As the protests continue, the ultimate fate of the proposed refinery remains uncertain. However, the determination of the villagers to fight until the end suggests that the region's ecological concerns may prevail once again. Thousands of villagers in Maharashtra, India, are protesting against the construction of a Saudi-backed petrochemical refinery in the ecologically fragile Konkan belt. The project has faced opposition for nearly a decade, with locals expressing concerns over environmental damage and threats to their livelihoods. The government's assertions that the refinery is non-polluting and will bring economic benefits have been met with skepticism. Divisions over the project have emerged along geographical, class, and ideological lines. Local resistance groups aim to mobilize public pressure to scrap the project, highlighting the ongoing clash between India's economic ambitions and environmental sensitivities.