The Udupi-Kasaragod Transmission Project was launched on 19 September 2019 under the Ministry of Power’s Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS). It is implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle, Udupi-Kasaragod Transmission Limited (UKTL), which was later acquired by Sterlite Power.
In June 2021, UKTL secured Rs 580 crore in funding from REC Ltd. The project, valued at about Rs 700 crore (USD 92.17 million), aims to enhance power reliability in northern Kerala, ease congestion between southern grid corridors (S1: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka; S2: Tamil Nadu, Kerala), and transmit over** **1,000 MW of additional capacity to support renewable energy evacuation. The project scope includes i) establishing a 2x500 MVA, 400/220 kV GIS substation at Kasaragod, ii) constructing the Udupi (Mangalore)–Kasaragod 400 kV (Quad) double-circuit line, and iii) adding two 400 kV line bays with bus bar extension works at the UPCL switchyard.
The 115 km line will run through 27 villages from Elloor (Udupi) to Poonacha (Dakshina Kannada) and extends into Kasaragod, Kerala. It requires 177 towers (31 ha) in Karnataka and 101 towers (17 ha) in Kerala. The project will affect more than 3,450 acres, including 2,300 acres of farmland, and is expected to impact 328 homes, 26 temples, 16 mosques, 14 schools, and 13 churches. Beneficiary states include Karnataka (36.71%), Kerala (8.32%), Tamil Nadu (17.1%), Andhra Pradesh (15.92%), Telangana (20.64%), Goa (0.21%), and Puducherry (1.1%). The initial deadline of the project was June 2023, which was later pushed to 13 December 2024.
The project has faced strong legal and social challenges. In July 2024, landowners contested the validity of the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA's) “prior approval.” A single judge bench initially ruled the approval unlawful, but later Karnataka High Court upheld the CEA’s authority, confirming the project’s public purpose while affirming landowners’ right to compensation. By October 2024, farmers alleged exclusion from consultations, with less than 1 percent receiving notices despite the requirement of 85 percent consent. Protests were staged at over 200 locations, and gram panchayats passed resolutions opposing the line. In November 2024, farmers appealed to MPs for an alternate route to safeguard farmland.
Regulatory obstacles compounded opposition. The CEA’s December 2024 report flagged severe Right of Way (RoW) disputes at 128 of 177 Karnataka tower sites. In January 2025, environmental clearances from the Karnataka Forest Department remained pending for large-scale tree felling. Protesters also alleged route deviations in Bantwal and Karkala, and questioned the Airport Authority of India’s approvals for tower heights in Mijar and Edapadavu. The Virodhi Horata Samithi further accused UKTL of violating the Union government approved alignment.
On 20 February 2025, a large-scale protest rally was held in Mangaluru against the Udupi-Kasaragod 400 kV and Paladka-Kadandale 400/220 kV power projects, organised by farmers, environmental activists, and multiple local organisations, was organised by the Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh and Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh and had the support of Kasaragod 400 KV and Paladka-Kadandale 400/220 KV Power Transmission Line Opposition Protest Committees Federation, ICM Mangalore Diocese, Raitha Sangha-Hasiru Sene, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (R) Karnataka Pradesh, Parisara Sangama-Jeeva Sankula Para Vedike, and Udupi Jilla Krushikara Sangha.
The rally drew participation from over 3000 people, including farmers, activists, and concerned citizens. The protesters demanded that the project be rerouted to prevent the destruction of agricultural land and forests, the outdated Telegraph Act of 1885 be repealed and replaced with the more relevant 2003 Electricity Act, strict compliance with government guidelines for power transmission projects be ensured, and the sole authority of UKTL-Sterlite Power be removed, with the government involved as a key stakeholder.
Despite the protests, the project continued. As on June 2025, all 101 tower foundations in Kerala were completed, and 77 of 177 towers were erected in Karnataka.
In August 2025, the Aranya, Parisara Mathu Havamana Badalavane Sangha (R) challenged Phase 2 (Padubidri-Kasaragod line), alleging that the project is moving forward without securing mandatory environmental and biodiversity clearances. The Society for Forest, Environment and Climate Change (SFECC) secretary Benedict Fernandes alleged destruction of nearly 1.78 lakh trees besides health hazards due to the project.
Protesters are demanding that all illegal structures, including towers raised for the project, be razed. They have proposed that the transmission lines be laid underground and compensation at par with the market value for farmers whose land will be affected.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Complaint against procedural violations
Refusal to give up land for the project
Demand for more compensation than promised
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to reroute the project to prevent the destruction of agricultural and forest land.
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project underway despite protests
Original Project Deadline
2023
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land, Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
The project was delayed due to land acquisition disputes (ROW issues), combined with environmental and procedural challenges, although formal project suspension orders were not issued.
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
700
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2021
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Land Reform Laws, Other, Constitutional Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Karnataka High Court
Case Number
WRIT APPEAL NO.560 OF 2023(GM-KEB)
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
February 19, 2025
Location of Violation
Balmatta to the Clock Tower, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Ministry of Power; REC Ltd (formerly Rural Electrification Corporation)
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Udupi–Kasaragod Transmission Limited (UKTL)
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Sterlite Power Transmission Limited (SPTL)
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Federation of Udupi-Kasaragod 400 kV Power Transmission Line Action Committees; Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh (R); Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh; Kasaragod 400 KV and Paladka-Kadandale 400/220 KV Power Transmission Line Opposition Protest Committees Federation Udupi, Dakshina Kannada; ICM Mangalore diocese; Raitha Sangha-Hasiru Sene (Farmers Association Green Brigade); Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (R) Karnataka Pradesh (Indian Farmers Association (R) Karnataka Region); Udupi Jilla Krushikara Sangha (Udupi District Farmers Association).
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Asmita Sutar is an Architect and Urban Planner passionate about shaping sustainable communities through research and grassroots engagement. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in Urban and Regional Planning, bringing academic insight to her multidisciplinaryapproach.
As a State Researcher from Karnataka, Asmita investigates land and planning issues through the lenses of equity, governance, and community rights, with a focus on bridging the gap between policy and lived realities in India’s urban and rural landscapes.
