The Congress on Friday, November 13, 2026, accused the Modi government of allowing a “scandal of gigantic proportions” after Adani Green Energy Limited reportedly sought to reduce the estimated cost of its hydropower project in Maharashtra’s Satara district by 99 per cent.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh shared a newspaper report on X stating that the company had revised the proposed cost of its 1,500 MW pumped storage hydropower project from ₹5,675 crore to ₹56.75 crore.
According to the report, the reduction would also bring down the amount the company is required to deposit towards the conservation and protection of a wildlife sanctuary from ₹227 crore to ₹2.27 crore.
The report said complaints alleging that the project cost had been incorrectly stated were submitted on October 30 through the Prime Minister’s grievance redressal portal and the Maharashtra government’s Aaple Sarkar portal.
Following the complaints, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reportedly directed the Maharashtra Forest Department on November 6 to investigate the matter on priority. The state department has also initiated a probe, according to the report.
There was no immediate response from the Adani Group, the Maharashtra government or the Centre to the allegations.
Congress renews demand for JPC probe
In his post, Ramesh criticised the Adani Group’s expansion over the past decade, describing it as a record of “well-documented scams”.
He said the Congress had been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation since March 2023 into the group’s growth and its takeover of companies, industries and public assets.
Referring to the reported revision, Ramesh wrote: “Modani has slashed its project cost for a 1500 MW pumped storage power project in Maharashtra. A project which was sanctioned last year for ₹5,675 crore is now stated in an affidavit to have a cost of ₹56.75 crore. It is a 99% reduction!”
Calling the report “truly sensational”, he said the development raised serious questions and reinforced the party’s demand for a JPC probe into the group’s operations.
“This is unbelievable, and yet another example of what ‘Modani’ is always able to get away with,” Ramesh said, adding that the reported revision pointed to a “scandal of gigantic proportions”.
