Congress strongly protests 99 per cent reduction in Adani power project cost

The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the Modi government on Friday, 13 November, 2026. Reports have emerged regarding a 99 per cent reduction in the cost of a hydropower project by Adani Green Energy Limited in Maharashtra's Satara district, which Congress has termed a "massive scam". Following this incident, Congress has once again reiterated its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the operations of the Adani Group.

Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh shared a news report on the social media platform X. According to this report, Adani Group's renewable energy company has requested a major reduction in the cost of its 1,500 MW hydropower project in Maharashtra's Satara district. Previously, the cost of this project was ₹5,675 crore, which is now claimed to have been reduced to just ₹56.75 crore.

The hundredfold reduction in this cost has also impacted other matters. The report states that due to this proportional reduction in cost, the funds to be deposited by Adani Green Energy for the conservation and protection of the wildlife sanctuary have also significantly decreased. The amount for wildlife conservation, which was ₹227 crore, has now decreased to just ₹2.27 crore.

In this matter, a complaint regarding the "false costs" of the project was filed on 30 October on the Prime Minister's grievance redressal portal and to the Chief Minister via the Maharashtra government's 'Aaple Sarkar' grievance redressal portal. Based on this complaint, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) directed the state's Forest Department on 6 November to investigate the matter on a priority basis. According to the report, the state's Forest Department has commenced an investigation into the matter.

Posting on X, Jairam Ramesh stated that in the last decade, the ambitious territory of the 'Modani' group has been a saga of well-equipped scams. He further added that since March 2023, the Indian National Congress has been demanding a full JPC probe into the growth of the Adani Group and the acquisition of companies, industries, and public assets, which has been extensively documented.

Ramesh called this report "truly sensational" and said it was an extraordinary revelation. He further stated that the cost approved last year for the 1,500 MW pumped storage power project was ₹5,675 crore, which is now shown as ₹56.75 crore in an affidavit. This is a 99 per cent reduction, which is unbelievable and shows how 'Modani' always escapes. This incident points towards a massive scam, strengthening the demand for a JPC regarding their operations.

No immediate response has been received from the Adani Group, the Maharashtra government, or the Central government against these claims.

The Adani Group is a large Indian global conglomerate that has expanded into various sectors. It is primarily active in sectors such as ports, airports, energy, and logistics.