MHA bars new renewable energy projects within 1 km of international borders

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prohibited new solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects within one kilometre of the Line of Control (LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) and International Border, citing national security concerns.

The guidelines issued by the MHA’s Internal Security wing classify areas within 50 km of these borders as “sensitive areas”. All renewable energy projects proposed within this zone will require security clearance from the MHA. Projects located between one and 20 km of the border will require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence, on a case-by-case basis.

The guidelines impose additional safeguards. Engineers, employees and labourers from countries sharing a land border with India, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh and China, cannot be engaged without prior permission from the central government.

Applicants are also barred from transferring project land to a foreign company without government approval and MHA security clearance. Foreign investment will require a separate application to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the FDI policy.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will act as the nodal agency for applications, forwarding proposals to the MHA and Defence Ministry after obtaining the state government’s in-principle land approval and project coordinates.

Projects must install security measures, including anti-drone systems, at the developer’s cost. Equipment will be operated by the CISF or state police. Projects must also have dedicated police posts, pre-verified personnel and monitor foreign nationals.

To support border security, project roads should be wide for use by the Border Security Force and armed forces during emergencies. Accommodation and hotels must be located at least five km from the border, while crowd-attracting facilities are restricted in sensitive zones.

Civil infrastructure height is capped at three metres within 1-8 km, five metres within 8-20 km and 15 metres within 20-50 km of the border.

Projects that already secured MHA clearance or a Defence Ministry NOC before the guidelines were issued will not need to reapply.