Power transmission projects may affect 5.5 lakh farmer families in Gujarat

Large-scale power transmission projects planned across Gujarat could affect nearly 5.5 lakh farmer families, raising concerns over the impact on agricultural land and compensation for landowners.

Private power companies are planning to generate and transmit around 135 gigawatts (GW) of electricity in Gujarat. To evacuate this power, nearly 100 high-voltage transmission corridors are proposed across about 20 districts of the state. 

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Farmers fear loss of agricultural land

The proposed transmission network is expected to span nearly 500 kilometres, with hundreds of transmission towers to be erected along the routes. Farmer organisations claim that these projects will directly or indirectly affect nearly 5.5 lakh farming families.

According to estimates cited by farmer groups, a high-voltage transmission line passing through one kilometre of land can impact around 19 to 28 acres. Across all the proposed transmission routes, they estimate that nearly 3,800 hectares of agricultural land could come under the footprint of transmission towers and associated infrastructure.

Farmers fear that once transmission towers are installed, the affected land may face restrictions on future use, including digging borewells, constructing farm structures or carrying out other developmental activities. They also argue that the presence of transmission lines could reduce the market value of agricultural land.

Farmer organisations have alleged that while power companies are expected to earn substantial revenue from transmitting 135 GW of electricity, affected landowners are not being offered adequate compensation for the long-term impact on their land.

Several farmer groups have begun mobilising support in rural areas, demanding either a change in the proposed transmission routes or fair compensation for affected farmers. They contend that agricultural land will remain under the ownership of farmers on paper, but its utility and value will diminish because of the transmission infrastructure.

Farmer leaders have warned that if the routes are not revised or compensation issues are not addressed, they will launch a statewide agitation in the coming days.