## Report on Central Electricity Authority Order Regarding Azure Power India Private Limited
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a Central Electricity Authority (CEA) order concerning Ms. Azure Power India Private Limited. The order, issued on April 25, 2022, grants Azure Power the powers of a telegraph authority under the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, as it pertains to laying electric lines for a 300MW solar power project in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This authorization is subject to specific terms and conditions, including compliance with existing electricity regulations and environmental considerations. The key finding is that this order facilitates the development of renewable energy infrastructure by granting the necessary rights for transmission line construction.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an overview and analysis of the Central Electricity Authority order F. No. CEAPS13174252022PSPM Division, dated April 25, 2022. The purpose of this report is to inform stakeholders about the scope, implications, and conditions associated with this order, based solely on the information contained within the provided text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is a new policy pertaining to a specific project rather than an amendment.
* **Core Objective(s):** Based on the provided text, the core objective is to facilitate the establishment of connectivity for a 300MW solar power project in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, by granting Azure Power the necessary authority to lay electric transmission lines.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This policy addresses the need for adequate infrastructure to support renewable energy projects. The text indicates that Azure Power requires authorization under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003, to lay electric lines. This likely reflects the common issue of needing right-of-way and powers to efficiently construct and maintain transmission infrastructure, which can be a barrier to renewable energy deployment. Granting powers under the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 is presumably intended to streamline this process.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This is a new policy pertaining to a specific project rather than an amendment. This order confers upon Azure Power India Private Limited all the powers which a telegraph authority possesses under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, specifically for the purpose of laying electric lines for the connectivity system of its 300MW solar power project SECIIII in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This includes the right to place telegraph lines and posts. This authorization is subject to the following conditions:
* **Duration:** The approval is granted for 25 years.
* **Consent:** Azure Power must obtain consent from relevant authorities (local bodies, Railways, National Highways, State Highways, etc.) before erecting the lines.
* **Regulations:** Azure Power must adhere to the regulations and codes of the Appropriate Commission concerning transmission, operation and maintenance (O&M), and open access, as framed under the Electricity Act, 2003.
* **Inspection:** The lines must be operated only after approval from the Electrical Inspector/Chief Electrical Inspector of the Central Government.
* **Compliance:** Azure Power must comply with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, and related rules.
* **Clearances:** Azure Power must submit required clearances from relevant authorities (Civil Aviation, Defence, etc.) at the time of electrical inspection.
* **Environmental Considerations:** Azure Power must comply with the directions of the Supreme Court of India regarding the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) in relation to overhead transmission lines.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience is Ms. Azure Power India Private Limited. Other stakeholders include:
* Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
* Ministry of Power, Government of India
* Local bodies, Railways, National Highways, and State Highways authorities
* Electrical Inspector/Chief Electrical Inspector of the Central Government
* Civil Aviation and Defence authorities
* The general public in the Jodhpur, Rajasthan region affected by the transmission lines (specifically Dedasari, Noore ki Bhurj, Khakori, Gulam khan ki Dhani Villages of BAP Taluka and Jodhpur District).
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is responsible for issuing the order and overseeing compliance. Azure Power is responsible for implementing the transmission line project in accordance with the order.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The approval is valid for 25 years. Azure Power must obtain necessary consents and clearances before erecting the lines and must secure approval from the Electrical Inspector/Chief Electrical Inspector before operating the lines. The company also already published notice in newspapers to the general public and filed an affidavit declaring no objection has been received from public.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome is the successful establishment of the transmission infrastructure necessary to connect the 300MW solar power project to the grid. This will contribute to increased renewable energy capacity and potentially to improved electricity access in the region. Furthermore, it creates a streamlined approach for similar projects.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Central Electricity Authority order grants Ms. Azure Power India Private Limited the necessary powers to construct transmission lines for its 300MW solar power project in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This order is significant because it facilitates the development of renewable energy infrastructure by addressing potential barriers related to right-of-way and construction. The implementation of the project is subject to specific terms and conditions designed to ensure compliance with existing regulations, environmental protection, and stakeholder engagement.
Key Entities Referenced
Electricity Act, 2003: An act of the Indian Parliament concerning electricity.
Azure Power India private Limited: Applicant seeking authorization for laying electric lines.
World Mark 3, Aerocity, New Delhi: Registered office address of Azure Power India private Limited.
300MW solar power project SECIIII: A solar power project in Jodhpur, Rajasthan for which electric lines are being laid.
Jodhpur, Rajasthan: Location of the 300MW solar power project SECIIII.
CEA: Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Government of India
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885: An act concerning telegraph lines and posts.
Azure Solar PV Plant Bhadla Bhadla PS 220kV SC line: Overhead line covered under the scheme.
BAP Jodhpur: Taluka District through which the transmission lines will pass.
Railways: One of the concerned authorities i.e. local bodies.
National Highways: One of the concerned authorities i.e. local bodies.
State Highways: One of the concerned authorities i.e. local bodies.
Electrical Inspector Chief Electrical Inspector of Central Government: Authority for approval to operate lines
Civil Aviation: Concerned authority from whom requisite clearances are to be obtained.
Defence: Concerned authority from whom requisite clearances are to be obtained.
Supreme Court of India: The apex court of India, which has issued directions regarding the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
GIB Great Indian Bustard: An endangered bird species, subject of a Supreme Court order regarding overhead transmission lines.
Rakesh Goyal: Secretary.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-19052022-235850
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CG-DL-E-19052022-235850
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण् ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 260] नई ददल्ली, बुधिार, मई 18, 2022/ििै ाख 28, 1944
No. 260] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022/VAISAKHA 28, 1944
केंद्रीय जिद्यतु प्राजधकरण
आदेि
नई ददल्ली, 25, अप्रैल, 2022
फा. स.ं CEA-PS-13-17(42)/5/2022-PSPM Division.—िबदक मेससस अज़ूरे पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट
जलजमटेड जिसका पंिीकृत कायासलय 3rd फ्लोर, 301-304 एंड 307, िल्ड स माकस 3, ऐरोजसटी , नई ददल्ली - 110037
ह,ै ने पारेषण योिना “िोधपुर, रािस्ट्थान में 300MW सौर ऊिास पररयोिना (SECI-III) के जलए कनेजटटजिटी प्रणाली”
के तहत जबिली की तारें जबछाने के जलए जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 की धारा 164 के अतं गतस प्राजधकृत करने हते ु आिेदन
दकया ह।ै
और िबदक, के.जि.प्रा., जिद्युत मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार ने अपने पत्र सं. I/11037/2020 ददनांक 21.08.2020 के
द्वारा पारेषण योिना “िोधपुर, रािस्ट्थान म ें 300MW सौर ऊिास पररयोिना (SECI-III) के जलए कनेजटटजिटी प्रणाली”
के जलए मेससस अज़रू े पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट जलजमटेड को जिद्युत अजधजनयम की धारा 68(1) के अतं गतस पूिस अनुमोदन प्रदान
दकया था।
मेससस अज़ूरे पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट जलजमटेड न े ददनांक 11.09.2020 (दैजनक भास्ट्कर , राष्ट्रदतू , िलत े दीप ,
द टाइम्स ऑफ़ इंजडया) के स्ट्थानीय अखबारों तथा भारत का रािपत्र साप्ताजहक ददनांक 10 अटटूबर - 16 अटटूबर,
2020 को, प्रकाजित दकया गया था । जिसमें पारेषण योिना के जलए प्रस्ट्ताजित पारेषण मागस पर प्रकािन की तारीख स े
60 ददनों के भीतर आम िनता की रटप्पजणयों / अभ्यािेदन की मांग करत े हुए नोरटस प्रकाजित दकया था । इसके पश्चात,
मेससस अज़ूरे पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट जलजमटेड न े 21.02.2022 ददनांदकत एक हलफनामा प्रस्ट्तुत दकया, जिसमें घोषणा की
गई दक समाचार पत्रों / भारत का रािपत्र में उपरोक्त पारेषण योिना के जलए सािसिजनक सूचना के प्रकािन के 60 ददनों के
भीतर िनता से कोई आपजि प्राप्त नहीं की गई ह।ै
3333 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
और अब आिेदक ने जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 की धारा 164 के अतं गतस पारेषण योिना “िोधपुर, रािस्ट्थान म ें
300MW सौर ऊिास पररयोिना (SECI-III) के जलए कनेजटटजिटी प्रणाली” के तहत जिद्युत लाइन जबछान े के जलए उसे ि े
सभी िजक्तयां प्रदान करन े का अनुरोध दकया ह,ै िो टेलीग्राफ के प्रयोिन के जलए सरकार द्वारा स्ट्थाजपत टेलीग्राफ लाइनों
और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के जलए या स्ट्थाजपत होने िाली टेलीग्राफ लाइनों और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के जलए
भारतीय टेलीग्राफ अजधजनयम, 1885 के अंतगतस टेलीग्राफ प्राजधकरण के पास ह।ै
इस योिना के तहत जनम्नजलजखत ओिरहडे लाइनें िाजमल ह ैं–
1. अज़ूरे सोलर जप जि प्लांट भड़ला - भड़ला पी.एस 220 के.िी. एस./सी. लाईन
स्ट्कीम के अंतगसत आिररत रांजस्ट्मिन लाइन्स जनम्नजलजखत तहसीलों, तालुकों, मंडलों, ब्लॉक, गांिों, नगरों तथा िहरों स,े
ऊपर, आसपास तथा बीच से होकर गुिरेगी.
राज्य : रािस्ट्थान
गािों के नाम तालकु जज़ला
देदासरी, नूरे के भूि,स खाखुरी, गुलाम खान की ढाणी बाप िोधपुर
अब, सािधानीपूिसक जिचार करने के पश्चात, केंद्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण, जिद्युत मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार, मेससस
अज़ूरे पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट जलजमटेड को उपरोक्त स्ट्कीम के अंतगसत आिररत रांजस्ट्मिन लाइन्स को लगाने के जलए ि े
सभी िजक्तयां जनम्नजलजखत जनबंधनों एिं ितों के साथ प्रदान करता है, िो टेलीग्राफ के उद्देश्य के जलए सरकार द्वारा
स्ट्थाजपत टेलीग्राफ लाइनों और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के जलए या स्ट्थाजपत होने िाली टेलीग्राफ लाइनों और खंबों या
उनके रख-रखाि के जलए भारतीय टेलीग्राफ अजधजनयम, 1885 के अंतगतस टेलीग्राफ प्राजधकरण के पास ह ै-
(i) यह अनुमोदन 25 िषों के जलए प्रदान दकया िाता ह।ै
(ii) आिेदक को प्रस्ट्ताजित लाइनों की स्ट्थापना स े पूिस संबंजधत प्राजधकाररयों अथासत् स्ट्थानीय जनकायों, रेलि,े
राष्ट्रीय रािमाग,स राज्य रािमागस आदद की सहमजत लने ी होगी।
(iii) आिेदक जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 के तहत बनाए गए रांसजमिन, ओ एडं एम, ओपन एटसेस इत्यादद के
संबंध में उपयुक्त आयोग के जनयमों/कोडों का पालन करेगा।
(iv) आिेदक संबंजधत केंद्र सरकार के जिद्युत जनरीक्षक/मुख्य जिद्यतु जनरीक्षक के अनुमोदन के पश्चात ही लाइनों
का प्रचालन करेगा।
(v) यह अनुमोदन आिेदक द्वारा जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 के प्रािधानों और उसके तहत बनाए गए जनयमों की
अपेक्षाओं का अनुपालन दकए िाने के अध्यधीन ह।ै
(vi) मेससस अज़ूरे पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट जलजमटेड को जिद्युत जनरीक्षण के समय जिमानन एिं रक्षा प्राजधकरणों
इत्यादद, से अपेजक्षत अनुमजत को प्राप्त करन े के बाद, इसे केंद्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण को जिद्युत जनरीक्षण के
समय प्रस्ट्तुत करना होगा।
(vii) मेससस अज़ूरे पािर इंजडया प्राइिेट जलजमटेड को ओिरहडे लाइन जबछान े के जलए माननीय सिोच्च
न्यायालय के आदेि ददनांक 19.04.2021 िीआईबी (ग्रेट इंजडयन बस्ट्टडस) मामल े के संबंध म ें2019 की ररट
याजचका संख्या 838, 2020 के आईए नंबर 85618 का पालन करना होगा।
राकेि गोयल, सजचि
[जिज्ञापन III/4/असा./80/2022-23][भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
ORDER
New Delhi, the 25th, April, 2022
F. No. CEA-PS-13-17(42)/5/2022-PSPM Division.—Whereas M/s. Azure Power India private
Limited, the applicant with its registered office at 3rd Floor, 301-304 and 307, World Mark 3, Aerocity,
New Delhi-110037, has applied for authorization under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for laying
of electric lines under the transmission scheme “Connectivity system for 300MW solar power project
(SECI-III) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan”.
And whereas, CEA, Ministry of Power, Government of India vide its letter No I/11037/2020 dated
21.08.2020 had granted prior approval under section 68(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003 to M/s Azure Power
India private Limited for the transmission scheme “Connectivity system for 300MW solar power project
(SECI-III) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan”.
M/s Azure Power India private Limited has published notice for transmission scheme in local
newspapers dated 11.09.2020 (Danik Bhaskar, Rashtradoot, Jalte Deep, The Times of India) and in The
Gazette of India, dated 10th October - 16th October, 2020, for the general public to make
observations/representations on the proposed transmission route within 60 days from the date of
publication. Subsequently, M/s Azure Power India private Limited has submitted an affidavit dated
21.02.2022 declaring that no objection has been received from public within 60 days of publication of
Public Notice in newspapers / Gazette of India.
And now the applicant has requested to confer upon it, all the powers under section 164 of the
Electricity Act, 2003, which the telegraph authority possess under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with
respect to the placing of telegraph lines and posts for the purpose of a telegraph established or maintained
by Government or to be so established or maintained for laying of electric lines under the transmission
scheme “Connectivity system for 300MW solar power project (SECI-III) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan”. The
following overhead lines are covered under this scheme:
1. Azure Solar PV Plant Bhadla- Bhadla PS 220kV S/C line
The transmission lines covered under the scheme will pass through, over, around and between the
following of Tehsils, Talukas, Mandals, Blocks, villages, towns & cities.
STATE :RAJASTHAN
Villages name Taluka District
Dedasari, .Noore ki Bhurj, Khakori, Gulam khan ki Dhani BAP Jodhpur
Now, after careful consideration, Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Government of
India, under section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003, confers all the powers which telegraph authority
possesses under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with respect to placing of telegraph lines and posts for the
purposes of a telegraph established or maintained by Government or to be established or maintained upon
M/s Azure Power India private Limited for laying above overhead line, subject to following terms and
conditions:
(i) The approval is granted for 25 years;
(ii) The Applicant shall seek the consent of the concerned authorities i.e. local bodies, Railways,
National Highways, State Highways etc. before erection of proposed lines;
(iii) The Applicant shall follow regulations/codes of the Appropriate Commission regarding
transmission, O&M, open access, etc., framed under Electricity Act, 2003.
(iv) The Applicant shall operate the lines after approval of Electrical Inspector / Chief Electrical
Inspector of Central Government.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
(v) The approval is subject to compliance of the requirement of the provisions of the Electricity
Act, 2003 and the rules made there under by the applicant.
(vi) M/s Azure Power India private Limited shall submit the requisite clearances to Central
Electricity Authority after obtaining the same from concerned authorities like Civil Aviation,
Defence etc., at the time of Electrical Inspection.
(vii) M/s Azure Power India private Limited shall comply with the direction of Hon'ble Supreme
Court of India in its Order in I.A No. 85618 of 2020 dated 19.04.2021 related to GIB (Great
Indian Bustard) in Writ Petition No. 838 of 2019 for laying of overhead transmission lines.
RAKESH GOYAL, Secy.
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./80/2022-23]
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.