New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced fresh security guidelines restricting the development of new renewable energy projects in areas close to India’s international and strategic borders.
Under the new directions, solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects will not be permitted within 1 kilometre of the Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) or the International Border.
The guidelines have been issued by the MHA’s Internal Security wing, with the restrictions aimed at strengthening security considerations around strategically sensitive border regions.
Land-border nationals require government clearance
The MHA guidelines also place restrictions on the deployment of personnel from countries sharing a land border with India.
Engineers, technical staff, employees and labourers belonging to such countries cannot be engaged for implementing renewable energy projects in the specified areas without prior approval from the Central government.
The directions specifically identify Pakistan, Bangladesh and China among the countries covered by the provision.
50-km belt classified as sensitive
Beyond the immediate one-kilometre restriction, the guidelines classify areas falling within 50 kilometres of the LoC, LAC and International Border as “sensitive areas.”
This classification brings renewable energy projects proposed in these regions under additional scrutiny from a security perspective.
The move comes as India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, including large-scale solar and wind installations. The new framework seeks to ensure that the development of such infrastructure in border regions is undertaken with security concerns taken into account.
Project developers operating in or planning investments near India’s borders will therefore have to factor the new security requirements into their project planning, manpower deployment and implementation processes.
