Parliament Question: Construction of New High-capacity Power Transmission Lines

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.696 ANSWERED ON 23.07.2026 CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HIGH-CAPACITY POWER TRANSMISSION LINES †696. SHRI AMRA RAM:

Will the Minister of POWER

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the construction of new high-capacity power transmission lines and towers are causing damage to farmers' agricultural land, crops and irrigation systems and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the number of farmers affected by these projects and the details of the compensation provided to them during the last five years, State-wise;

(c) whether there is a wide disparity in the rates and procedure of providing compensation to farmers affected by such power transmission lines in various States;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government proposes to formulate a uniform and fair compensation policy nationwide, and provide appropriate annual or one-time compensation to farmers for land-use restrictions under towers and power line corridors; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (f): (i) During the construction of transmission lines and towers, temporary damage on agricultural land, standing crops and, in some cases, irrigation facilities may occur depending upon the terrain, route alignment and site conditions. However, Transmission Service Providers (TSPs) make efforts to minimise such impacts through optimisation of transmission line alignment, adoption of suitable tower designs, and use of appropriate construction methodologies.

……….2.- 2 -

(ii) The Right of Way (RoW) for transmission lines is acquired in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003. Compensation towards damage to crops, trees, other losses during construction, and for diminution in land value under the RoW corridor, is provided to landowners in accordance with the applicable policies of the respective State Governments. In this regard, Ministry of Power, Government of India issued guidelines dated 14.06.2024 regarding payment of compensation for ROW for transmission lines. Supplementary guidelines were issued on 21.03.2025, which were further amended on

15.12.2025. State Governments may adopt these guidelines in their entirety or issue their own modified guidelines. In the absence of State Government guidelines, these guidelines issued by the Central Government shall apply for determining compensation.

(iii) The transmission projects/ schemes are implemented across the country by various agencies including Public Sector Undertakings, State Transmission Utilities and Private Transmission Service Providers (TSP). State-wise details of the number of farmers affected or the details of compensation provided to them under transmission projects, is not maintained by this Ministry.

***************