Kerala
Near Velluda Sri Durga Bhagavathi Temple, Kasargod
,
Ambalathinkara
,
Kasargod
Published :
Oct 2023
|
Updated :
Kasargod solar park's capacity reduced from 200MW to 50MW amid protest
Reported by
Anupriya S
Legal Review by
Anmol Gupta
Edited by
Anupa Kujur
Households affected
People affected
2017
Year started
242
Land area affected
Households affected
People Affected
2017
Year started
242
Land area affected
Key Insights
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Renewable Power
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
Sector
Power
Reason/Cause of conflict
Renewable Power
Conflict Status
Ongoing
Ended
Legal Status
Region Classification
Rural
Ended
1
Summary

The Kerala government slashed the capacity of its ambitious solar park in Kasargod from 200MW to 50MW amid stiff opposition by residents. 
In 2015, the government had announced its plan to set up solar power parks in three localities of Kasargod district with a total capacity of 200MW in a bid to achieve its renewable energy target of 21% by 2022. The government decided to generate 200MW from 1,086 acres spread across three areas in Kasaragod: Ambalathumkara in Madikai panchayat; Paivalike and Meeja panchayats; and Kinanur-Karinthalam panchayat. 
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) signed two tripartite arrangements in this connection. The first one was with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and Tehri Hydroelectric Development Corporation India Limited (THDCIL) for a 50MW project. And the second one, which was also for a 50MW plant, with KSEB and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). On 13 February, 2015, an MoU was signed between the THDCIL and SECI, while a deal with IREDA was signed on 31 March, 2015. This apart, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had proposed another 100MW solar power plant to be set up in the Kasaragod under its proposed 2,000MW viability gap funding (VGF) scheme of the Centre. 
The entire project was eligible for a central government assistance of Rs 40 crore. The central government offers up to Rs 50 lakh per megawatt to every recognised solar park. A solar power plant with 200MW capacity is categorised as a solar park by the central government. 
A land survey for the acquisition of land for the project took place in July 2015. The project, however, hit a roadblock as residents strongly opposed land acquisition at such a large scale and claimed that the move would affect their livelihoods, disrupt connectivity with neighbouring villages and result in the loss of commons like playgrounds. They also alleged that the implementation of the project would have a negative impact on their access to water. Opposition from CPI(M)-ruled Panchayats also made the land transfers challenging. 
A media report stated that water pipes and roads were damaged during the implementation of the project, affecting normal lives in the area. 
For the entire solar park, the Renewable Power Corporation of Kerala Limited (RPCKL) - the joint venture between KSEB and SECI - took on the state-level land acquisition responsibility. In 2016, the state government transferred land to KSEB in Karinthalam (169 acres) and Paivalike (430 acres) for the project. The original area comprised 484 acres of leased revenue land in Velluda, Ambalathara village located in the Madikai Panchayat. 
In October 2017, the Kerala government scaled down the solar power park's capacity due to the inability to acquire more lands. The parties involved constructed a new public road around the large solar park and developed a playground in Kundara, which is located about 3-4 km from the old one. Those affected were also given rehabilitation packages.
While there is no government data available for the number of people who were affected, a research [documented](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589791819300180#:~:text=Select government officials encouraged solar,others opposed the acquisition of) how the Adivasi families living in the area without land titles lost their small pieces of lands due to the project. One stakeholder noted, “they surveyed this land by informing us as re-survey of land for the distribution to landless. Our house also included in this survey. We don’t have land title to this land and we put forward some demands, but they didn’t agree. This area is highly populated area and it is a tribal settlement. Because of protest they left now”. “We have lost our small piece of land because of this project.” Another stakeholder said, "Many people lost their land because of big projects... In this area 9 people lost land and among them five people don’t have title. They first told that they will give land, but till now they didn’t give … There are many households residing in this solar park area, they were shifted to the side of the solar park, company only did this. There is nothing done from the part of the Government."
Since the project had to be scaled down, the Kerala government lost central assistance to the tune of Rs 900 crore for the solar park.  
The solar power plant (spread across 250 acres) built by IREDA and SECI became operational in a phased manner starting from December 15, 2016, after a delay of seven months. With a change in electoral government, the LDF-led state went ahead with the 50MW project by THDCIL. The solar power plant spread across 250 acres was inaugurated by PM Modi on February 19, 2021. 

2
Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources

Refusal to give up land for the project

Opposition against environmental degradation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to modify the project

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common and Private

Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

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?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Project completed

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Yes

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Government or community-regulated urban commons, Residential area

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

No

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

590

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

Yes

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Project/scheme was cancelled or modified

The land area initially proposed for acquisition for the Solar Park was reduced following the reduction in the capacity from 200MW to 50MW. A new playground was constructed in Kundara, around 3-4 kms from the site and a stretch of road was constructed around the solar park for commuting purpose.

4
Additional Information

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB)

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Renewable Power Corporation of Kerala Limited (RPCKL), Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECIL), Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Limited (THDCIL), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA)

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Yes

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

No

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

5
Information on the use of criminal law

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?

Legal Supporting Documents

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Author
Reported by
Anupriya S
Show more work
Latest updates
East Jaintia Hills
Meghalaya

Violent protest during public hearing for cement plant expansion in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills

Narela
Delhi

Residents of Narela's Bajitpur Thakran oppose demolition of temples for defence institute, demand sports complex

Surguja
Chhattisgarh

Adivasis in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo protest relentlessly against mining project in forest

Kamrup Metropolitan
Assam

Lawyer bodies protest against Assam government’s decision to relocate Gauhati High Court

Faizabad
Uttar Pradesh

Demands for Ram Temple, Babri Mosque at same site divides Ayodhya

Mumbai
Maharashtra

Supreme Court Allows Land Reclamation for Mumbai Coastal Road Project

Pune
Maharashtra

Farmers Refuse Land for Pune Outer Ring Road Project in Maharashtra

Surat
Gujarat

Slum Dwellers in Gujarat's Surat Stage Protest against Demolition, Forced Eviction

Fact sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources

Refusal to give up land for the project

Opposition against environmental degradation

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

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?

Status of Project

Project completed

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Yes

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Government or community-regulated urban commons, Residential area

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

No

Source/Reference

JOIN
THE LCW COMMUNITY
Exclusive monthly policy briefs, stories from the ground, Quarterly Analytics report, Curated Expert talks, merchandise and much more.


Support our work.
Sign Up Today
Conflicts Map
Conflict Database
About Us