Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), has contributed a massive Rs 966 crore through electoral bonds. The company, known for its involvement in critical infrastructure projects across India, has a history marred by allegations of violating environmental norms.
MEIL, known for its role in executing critical infrastructure projects like the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project and the strategic Zojila tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir, faces allegations of breaching environmental norms and bypassing necessary project clearances.
Projects initiated without mandated environmental approvals or those surpassing established conditions are classified as violations. These actions have sparked discussions about the intricate relationship between industrial expansion, political contributions, and environmental stewardship in India’s development narrative.
In 2021, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, responsible for constructing the 14.5-kilometer Zojila Tunnel, chopped off 338 trees without seeking permission from the Forest Department. The fallen trees now lie along the roadside. Forest Department officials submitted a report to Divisional Forest Officer Ganderbal, seeking legal action against the agency.
The spotlight on MEIL’s activities underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in political funding practices and regulatory oversight, emphasizing the importance of sustainable business conduct.
MEIL’s recent ventures into city gas distribution and media ownership, coupled with substantial political donations, highlight the complex landscape it operates in. Its rise as the second-largest electoral bond donor coincides with its involvement in critical infrastructure projects, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
Established in 1989 by industrialist Pamireddy Pitchi Reddy, MEIL has evolved into a key player in major infrastructure undertakings. The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, a massive initiative aimed at transforming Telangana’s arid regions with an investment of Rs 1.51 lakh crore, showcases the company’s capabilities and ambitions.
As MEIL navigates India’s infrastructure challenges, the scrutiny over its political contributions and environmental commitments, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, remains a topic of public discourse and regulatory attention. The violation of environmental norms adds another layer of concern to MEIL’s operations.
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