Higher compensation for land under transmission towers
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On 4 May 2026 the UP Cabinet adopted the Union Power Ministry’s guidelines on compensation for land used by towers of UPPTCL’s 765/400/220/132 kV lines. Compensation will be at the DM’s circle rate for 200 per cent of the tower base area and 30 per cent of the right-of-way corridor. Earlier, the corridor got no land-based compensation.
- Date
- 4 May 2026, UP Cabinet
- Lines
- UPPTCL 765/400/220/132 kV
- Tower base
- 200% of area (1 metre extra on all sides)
- Right of way
- 30% of corridor area
- Rate
- DM circle rate
- Basis
- Union Ministry of Power guidelines
Compensation for land under transmission towers: what happened?
Power lines cross farmland. Farmers lose the land under each tower and face limits on what they can do under the wires. When they feel short-changed, they resist, and lines get delayed. Fair compensation is meant to fix that.
- The Cabinet adopted Union Power Ministry guidelines for compensation under transmission towers: 200 per cent of tower base area and 30 per cent of the right-of-way corridor, at DM circle rates. [UP Cabinet]
What changes?
- Earlier, compensation was paid only for the tower base area.
- There was no separate land-based compensation for the right-of-way corridor.
- Now both are covered, at the circle rate fixed by the District Magistrate.
Why does it matter?
- Landowners and farmers get fair payment for the economic loss from land use limits.
- It improves social acceptance of transmission projects and land availability.
- It helps finish transmission projects on time.
What can Prelims ask on compensation for land under transmission towers?
- UP tower compensation (May 2026): 200% of tower base + 30% of RoW corridor at circle rate.
- Applies to UPPTCL lines of 765, 400, 220 and 132 kV.
Read all of May 2026 in the monthly UP current affairs compilation →
How to use this in Mains
- Fair compensation reduces farmer resistance that delays power lines.
Quotable data pointThe Cabinet adopted Union Power Ministry guidelines for compensation under transmission towers: 200 per cent of tower base area and 30 per cent of the right-of-way corridor, at DM circle rates [UP Cabinet].
UP Information Dept: Cabinet decisions, 4 May 2026 (Hindi PDF)
Exam angle
GS-VI: land and infrastructure in UP. Use as an example of easing land conflicts that delay power transmission.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Under UP's May 2026 decision, compensation for the right-of-way corridor of transmission lines is based on what share of its area?
Answer (b) & explanation
UP Cabinet note, 4 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How is compensation for tower land calculated in UP now?
For 200 per cent of the tower base area and 30 per cent of the right-of-way corridor, at the DM's circle rate.
Was right-of-way land compensated before?
No. Only the tower base area was compensated; there was no land-based compensation for the corridor.
Whose guidelines did UP adopt?
Those of the Union Ministry of Power.
Keep studying
Official source: UP Information Dept: Cabinet decisions, 4 May 2026 (Hindi PDF)
facts from cited sources only; numbers machine-checked against source text; faculty review pending