Rail Vikas Nigam Limited Seeks Electricity Act Powers for Gujarat Transmission Project

The Ministry of Railways, through its enterprise Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), issued Notification S.O. 6088(E) on December 10, 2025, signifying its intent to acquire crucial statutory powers for the development of electrical transmission infrastructure in Gujarat. This notification, published in the Official Gazette, served as a public announcement regarding RVNL's application to the Government of India for the conferment of powers under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The primary reason for this issuance was to enable RVNL to undertake the necessary works for placing electrical lines and plant for the transmission of electricity, as well as for telephonic or telegraphic communications essential for coordinating its projects. The notification detailed that RVNL, with its registered office in New Delhi and a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, would undertake the survey, construction, installation, inspection, erection, commissioning, operation, and maintenance for specified transmission schemes.

The specific project outlined in the notification was the "WESTERN RAILWAY DHANDHUKA 132/25kV Traction Substation Drawl of 10.14 MW Power from 132KV GETCO 132 kV Dhandhuka SS on 132 KV System under Long Term Open Access." The works covered under this scheme included the establishment of a 132 kV Double Circuit (2X3-Phase) Line, approximately 5.257 kilometers in route length, connecting the 132 kV Dhandhuka (GETCO) Substation end to the 132 kV Switchyard of the proposed 132 kV Dhandhuka Traction Substation. This line would utilize both ACSR Panther conductor and 132 kV, 1CX800 Sq.mm Cable. The notification specified that this transmission project had already received approval from the Government of India through the Ministry of Power under Section 68(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003, vide Letter No. 25-17/112/2025-PG, dated December 9, 2025. The proposed transmission line was identified to pass through, over, around, and between several villages, towns, and cities, including Jaliya, Chharodiya, Vasana, Rayka, and Dhandhuka, all located within the Dhandhuka Tehsil of Ahmedabad District, Gujarat. A copy of the route alignment was made available at the office of the undersigned, and the public was invited to submit observations or representations on the proposed transmission system within two months from the date of the notice's publication.

The legislative intent behind this notification was to empower Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, a key Government of India Enterprise, to efficiently execute critical infrastructure projects that support railway operations and broader electricity transmission needs. The policy rationale underscored the necessity of conferring powers akin to those of a telegraph authority (as defined under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, which governs the establishment and maintenance of telegraph lines) to facilitate the laying of electrical infrastructure without undue impediments. This approach addresses potential statutory gaps or limitations that might arise in the absence of such specific authorization for a railway-focused entity undertaking power transmission works. The legislation provided: “Rail Vikas Nigam Limited... intends to apply to the Government of India to confer upon him all powers under section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for the placing of electrical lines or electrical plant for the transmission of electricity or for the purpose of telephonic or telegraphic communications necessary for the proper coordination of works which telegraph authority possess under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885...” This provision is crucial for ensuring that RVNL possesses the legal authority (similar to a licensee under the Electricity Act, 2003) to carry out its extensive infrastructure development mandate. While the notification itself did not introduce new rights or obligations in a broad sense, it established a clear enforcement mechanism for public engagement by inviting observations within a specified timeline, thereby ensuring transparency and public participation in the project's implementation. This process is a standard procedure to ensure legal compliance and public awareness for large-scale infrastructure developments that impact local communities.

Keywords: Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, RVNL, Electricity Act 2003, Section 164, Transmission Line, Gujarat, Dhandhuka, Western Railway, Ministry of Railways, Infrastructure, Power Transmission
Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Ahmedabad