Rush Hour: Adani bagged project after defence rules were relaxed, SC criticises ‘freebies’ and more

The Indian government in April 2023 eased national security restrictions along the Pakistan border in Gujarat’s Kutch region to facilitate a renewable energy park, official documents show.

The move initially allowed the Solar Energy Corporation of India to develop a hybrid renewable energy project at the site. The SECI had been allotted 23,000 hectares for wind energy, but defence restrictions on solar panels made the project financially unviable. After lobbying by the SECI and the Gujarat government, the defence ministry permitted hybrid projects within 2 km of the border.

Despite this concession, three months later, SECI surrendered the land on instructions from the renewable energy minister. The Gujarat government then reallocated it to the Adani Group, reversing its earlier policy of reserving the land for public sector firms. As a result, Adani Green Energy now controls more land in the park than all other developers combined.

Defence experts have criticised the decision to relax border rules for commercial interests. A former military chief called it “imprudent”, while a retired lieutenant general said it compromised national security for corporate profit.

The defence ministry, Gujarat government, SECI and the Adani Group have not responded to Scroll’s queries. However, the Adani Group told The Guardian – which first reported the story – that its…

Read more