Tata Power's transmission line permission canceled in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: The Madras High Court has set aside the permission granted to Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) by the Union power ministry. This permission was for building overhead transmission lines at 55 locations in Tamil Nadu, specifically between Tiruppur and Karur districts. The lines were meant to connect to TPREL's 198 MW wind power station in Karur. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy issued this ruling after reviewing complaints from landowners. They argued that TPREL did not hold a public hearing to discuss community concerns, as required by the Electricity Act. The court has ordered TPREL to restart the approval process. They must now publish a notice in well-known English and Tamil newspapers within two weeks, gather public feedback, and determine the best route for the lines. The court also mentioned that the 39 towers already constructed should be protected until this new process is complete. Petitioners explained that the overhead line stretches 17.75 km from Senapathipalayam village to the Karur power station. TPREL had issued a notice in less prominent local newspapers and claimed no one objected to their project. The authority approved the project on June 6, 2024, based on these claims. The court emphasized that private companies have a responsibility to ensure proper communication with the public about their projects. This is crucial for sustainable development and to avoid risks associated with the construction of the transmission lines.