Dow Chem unit to be shifted but retained in Maha: CM

Maharashtra Government has decided to shift the Dow Chemicals R&D centre coming up at Chakan in Pune to “an alternate site” following protests citing the possible environmental pollution due to the project, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said here today.

"Based on the government committee's report, we would take the next decision about an alternative site. Care would be taken to ensure that the project remains in the state, otherwise our loss could be Gujarat's gain," Chavan said here.

The state government's decision to shift the project is being viewed as a victory of opponents of the project, who organised a year-long agitation against the project citing pollution norms.

According to Mantralaya sources, the committee would be ready with the report by the third week of February. The panel is headed by Justice (Retd) R J Sinkar, and includes IIT Mumbai scientist S K Gupta and Groundwater Survey and Development Authority senior officer S B Khandale as members.

Banda Tatya Karadkar, representative of the warkari sect, who was jailed for agitating against the project, said unless the infrastructure of the company is moved out of the present premises, the protest would continue.