Kutch Farmer Threatens Legal Action Against ABREL, KP Energy Over Power Lines

BHUJ: A landowner in Kutch has threatened civil and criminal proceedings against Aditya Birla Group subsidiary ABREL (RJ) Projects Limited and Surat-based KP Energy, alleging that power lines were laid across his private land without consent or proper compensation.

Bhanushali Khimji Bhimji, who owns land bearing Survey No. 640/P1 in Bandiya village of Abdasa taluka, has filed a formal objection against the companies over the BHUJ II PS 220 KV double-circuit tower line project.

The farmer has accused the companies and their contractors of entering his property and installing power infrastructure before completing the required administrative procedures. He has demanded the immediate removal of the power lines and compensation for the alleged damage caused to his land.

Farmer Alleges Violation of Property Rights

In his formal objection, Bhimji described the alleged work as arbitrary and a violation of his property rights.

“This high-handed execution by contractor KP Energy and ABREL is completely illegal and arbitrary, riding roughshod over my constitutional land rights without any prior administrative approval or fair compensation,” he stated in the notice.

The landowner has argued that the work should not have proceeded without addressing the applicable permissions, land-use requirements and compensation issues.

The dispute raises questions about how private landowners are consulted when power transmission infrastructure is installed across agricultural land. It also puts the spotlight on the procedures followed by contractors and project developers while executing renewable energy infrastructure in Kutch.

Seven-Day Deadline Issued

Bhimji has demanded that the power lines be removed from Survey No. 640/P1 and that he receive compensation for the alleged damage and use of his property.

He has also sought action against those responsible for the work.

The notice gives the companies seven days to address his demands. If they fail to act within that period, the farmer has warned that he will initiate civil and criminal proceedings against both ABREL and KP Energy.

Companies Face Questions Over Project Execution

The allegations place the project developers under scrutiny over their handling of private land and compliance with applicable procedures.

However, the claims remain allegations made by the landowner. The available information does not establish whether the companies obtained any relevant permissions or whether compensation proceedings were initiated.

Responses from ABREL (RJ) Projects Limited and KP Energy were not included in the complaint details provided.

Attempts to establish contact with ABREL and KP Group failed as there was no response from both the companies at the time of publishing this report. However, their responses will be included in the article once they reach us.