The court established that statutory compliance in transmission projects under the Electricity Act permits necessary adjustments while safeguarding public interests, affirming the adequacy of legal remedies for grievances.

JUDGMENT :

This Writ Appeal assails the order dated 25.11.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.No.23776 of 2025, whereby the writ petition filed by appellants (hereinafter referred to as ‘writ petitioners’) seeking a writ of mandamus against the laying of 765 KV overhead electricity transmission lines over their agricultural lands in Kadthal Village, Ranga Reddy District, was dismissed.

2. Heard Sri T.Surya Satish, learned counsel appearing on behalf of Sri A. Suhas Chary, learned counsel for the appellants; Sri Muralidhar Reddy Katram, learned Government Pleader for Revenue department for respondent Nos.4 to 6 and Sri L.Ravichander, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of Sri Mayur Mundra, learned counsel for the respondent No.7 and perused the material on record.

Factual background (in brief)

3. The 7^th respondent i.e., Powergrid Bidar Transmission Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, is engaged in the execution of a transmission project titled ‘Transmission Scheme for Solar Energy Zone in Bidar (2500 MW), Karnataka’, which inter alia includes construction of the Bidar PS – Maheshwaram (PG) 765 KV Double Circuit transmission line.

4. In furtherance of the said project, prior approval under Section 68(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003 (for short ‘2003 Act’) was accorded by the Ministry of Power on 03.10.2023. Thereafter, public notices inviting objections were issued by publication in the Gazette of India dated 10.08.2024, as well as in three widely circulated newspapers, namely: The Times of India, Hindi Milap and Sakshi, on 25.05.2024. It is not in dispute that no objections were received from the public within the stipulated period.

5. Subsequently, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) granted a transmission licence to the 7^th respondent on 30.10.2024. Final authorization under Section 164 of the 2003 Act was thereafter granted by the Ministry of Power vide Gazette Notification No.578 dated 31.01.2025, specifying the villages through which the transmission line would pass, including Kadthal Village.

6. Pursuant to the above statutory clearances, the 7^th respondent commenced field activities from October, 2024, including survey, alignment marking and foundation works for erection of transmission towers. It was contended by the appellants herein that notices were issued to certain landholders, including appellant Nos. 1 to 6, and construction activity also commenced on lands of other appellants, who allege that individual notices were not served upon them.

7. Aggrieved thereby, the appellants, claiming to be small and marginal farmers, submitted representations during October–November, 2024 to the local Member of Legislative Assembly, the Gram Panchayat, the revenue authorities and the 7^th respondent. In the said representations, they alleged deviation from the approved alignment, erection of towers at unapproved angle points, absence of prior notice or consent, high-handed execution of works with police assistance, and adverse impact on agricultural operations and future development of the village.

8. The appellants also sought information under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (for short ‘RTI Act’) from the Central Electricity Authority. Relying upon the replies furnished thereto, they contended that the alignment being executed by the 7th respondent in Kadthal Village did not correspond with the alignment originally approved.

9. On the aforesaid grounds, the appellants approached this Court by filing W.P.No.23776 of 2025. The said writ petition came to be dismissed by the learned Singl