Gujarat Farmers Escalate Protest Over Electricity Transmission Line Compensation, Warn of 2027 Political Fallout

MORBI : The battle over land compensation has intensified in Gujarat as thousands of farmers took to the streets in Morbi on Tuesday, rejecting the state’s new electricity transmission line  compensation policy and warning the government of political consequences if their demands are ignored.

Around 1,200 to 1,500 people, including a large number of women farmers, participated in ‘Andolan Part-3’, marching from Mahendranagar Chowkdi to the Collector’s office. Carrying placards and letters of support from 365 gram panchayats, the protesters submitted a memorandum demanding substantial changes to the compensation policy announced through the government circular dated July 4, 2026.

The farmers argue that the compensation offered for electricity towers and transmission corridors of private power companies does not reflect the financial losses suffered due to the permanent use of agricultural land.

Movement leader Nehul Amrutia said the farmers have proposed three alternatives to the government.“Our demand is simple. Farmers should receive fair compensation for the land permanently affected by electricity towers and corridors. The current policy is unacceptable,” Amrutia said.

Under the first proposal, farmers have demanded 400% of the market value for land occupied by tower bases and 260% compensation for transmission corridors across rural, urban and municipal areas.

The second proposal seeks compensation at four times the market value under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

The third option suggests that compensation should be treated as a licensing arrangement under the Licensing Rules, 2006, allowing farmers and private companies to mutually decide annual or monthly rental payments for land used by transmission infrastructure.

Women farmers played garba during the protest while holding posters to highlight their opposition to the policy. Organisers described the demonstration as a peaceful but determined show of unity.

The agitation began in Jetpar village of Morbi, where farmers had earlier staged a symbolic fast followed by a 19-day indefinite hunger strike, demanding better compensation from a private power company installing electricity poles in agricultural fields.

Although the state government later announced a revised compensation policy, farmers say it still falls short of their expectations.

“If the government does not amend this circular, the issue will affect farmers across Gujarat. We will continue the agitation and intensify it based on the collective decision of farmers,” Amrutia said.

Farmer leaders from 12 districts of Saurashtra have already joined the movement. They have warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, the protest could transform into a statewide campaign with political implications ahead of the 2027 Gujarat Assembly elections.