No solar, wind, renewable energy project within 1 km of international border, says Home Ministry
Amid surge in applications for solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects in border areas, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new national
Amid surge in applications for solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects in border areas, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new national security guidelines, introducing a blanket ban on such projects within 1 km of the international border and mandating security clearance for projects located up to 50 km away. The guidelines impose restrictions on foreign participation and staffing, stating that the applicants should not engage engineers, staff, employees, labour from Pakistan, Bangladesh and China without the MHA’s permission. It added that project developers will not be allowed to transfer land to foreign companies without prior approval from the Central government and security clearance from the MHA. Under the guidelines, all solar, wind and hybrid energy projects proposed within 50 km of the Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the international border will require security clearance from the MHA. Projects located in the first kilometre from these borders have been declared a “restricted area”, where no project activity will be permitted.
The MHA says the move was prompted by a rise in queries received by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) regarding the suitability of setting up renewable energy projects in border areas that could have national security implications. The Ministry says the guidelines were framed after consultations with stakeholders to provide a uniform and transparent approval process. NOC from MoD Projects proposed between 1 km and 20 km from the border will require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), while proposals located anywhere within the broader 50 km zone will need the MHA security clearance. Both approvals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, it says. The guidelines say that project developers cannot apply directly to the MHA or the Defence Ministry. Instead, applications must be routed through the MNRE after obtaining in-principle land allotment approval from the State government. The MNRE will then forward proposals to the MHA for security clearance and to the MoD for the required NOC.
The Home Ministry has said it will try to decide the proposals within 60 days. In a significant security-related provision, developers will be required to install comprehensive security infrastructure, including anti-drone systems, which are expected to be operated by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or State police, with the cost borne by the project developer. Developers have been directed to ensure strict monitoring and verification of employees and construction workers. Foreign nationals entering project areas must also be monitored, while project staff will be required to follow instructions issued by local police and border security agencies. The MHA has further directed that project layouts should avoid long stretches of construction running parallel to the border. Project roads should be designed in a manner that allows their use by armed forces or border security personnel during emergencies. Accommodation facilities The guidelines also place restrictions on associated infrastructure. Hotels, housing facilities and other establishments that could attract crowds are discouraged in sensitive areas, it says, adding that accommodation facilities must be located at least five km from the border, while cafeterias should remain within plant premises.
The BriefWire