No renewable energy project within 1 km of borders: MHA guidelines

The Ministry of Home Affairs has published guidelines restricting new solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects within a 1 km radius of the Line of Control, the Line of Actual Control, and the International Border. This includes areas within 50 km of these borders, which are marked as "sensitive areas." Any project located in these zones will require security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The guidelines also prohibit the hiring of engineers, staff, employees, and labor from bordering countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, without central government permission. Areas 50 km away from the borders need a separate No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Defence. The 1 km zone is strictly off-limits to any project activity.

Projects requiring reapplication under these guidelines will be subject to the same provisions. Security clearance for projects in areas between 1 km and 50 km, or for NOC in areas 1 km to 20 km, will be assessed case-by-case by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence. Projects already approved for security clearance before these guidelines will not need reapplication.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will handle the project application, forwarding it to the MHA and MOD for security clearance and NOC. Adequate security measures, including a police presence, will be mandatory. Foreign nationals entering these areas will be monitored. Project staff must follow local police and Border Security Force instructions.

Roads must be sufficiently wide for emergency use by Border Security/Armed Forces. Accommodation, cafeterias, and housing facilities should not be within 5 km of the border. The maximum height for civil infrastructure in sensitive areas is 3 m up to 8 km, 5 m between 8 km and 20 km, and 15 m from 20 km to 50 km.