(a) whether Right of Way (RoW) and forest clearances are hindering the execution of transmission projects;
(b) if so, the details of the transmission projects that got stuck due to these reasons; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in pursuing pending issues with concerned agencies for timely completion of transmission projects?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER,
COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY
( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
(a) & (b) : Right of Way (RoW) issues and delay in forest clearances are affecting the progress of implementation of transmission projects and the RoW issues have become major cause of delay in implementation of the projects. The State-wise details of transmission projects which have got stuck due to these factors are enclosed at Annex.
(c) : The following steps have been taken by the Government for timely completion of transmission projects;
(i) Ministry of Power has issued guidelines on 15.10.2015 to all the State Governments/UTs for payment of compensation towards damages in regard to the Right of Way (RoW) for construction of Transmission Lines.
(ii) Regular monitoring by Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority. The matter is taken up with the State authorities as well as Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for resolving the RoW and forest clearance issues respectively.
(iii) Critical transmission projects are also being monitored through PRAGATI (Proactive Governance and timely implementation) portal wherein the issues affecting the progress of the projects are reviewed and corrective measures suggested.
(iv) MOEFCC has issued forest clearance guidelines allowing working permission for linear projects by State Govt. after Stage-I (in principle) approval.
(v) MOEFCC has delegated the powers to Regional MoEFCC for approval of forest proposals of linear projects including transmission lines irrespective of forest area involved.
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