Security protocols were relaxed to allow Adani Group build the Khavda solar park, a 445-sq km facility that sits just 1 km from Pakistan border, British newspaper, The Guardian reported.
Published Feb 12, 2025 | 5:54 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 12, 2025 | 5:54 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Guatam Adani
Synopsis: The BJP-led Union government relaxed long-standing security protocols along the Pakistan border to allow construction of the world’s largest renewable energy park by the Adani Group just one kilometre from the border in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, The Guardian reported. The decision followed lobbying by the BJP government in Gujarat, despite military officials raising security concerns, and the land was transferred to Adani Group shortly after the rules were changed, making it significantly more valuable.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government in the Centre relaxed critical and long-standing national security protocols along the Pakistan border to facilitate a renewable energy park that was subsequently awarded to the Adani Group, The Guardian reported on Wednesday, 12 February.
Citing official documents, the British newspaper said the Khavda plant, touted as the world’s largest renewable project, sits barely one kilometre from the Pakistan border in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, a strategically sensitive area that has been a subject of past military disputes between India and Pakistan.
The report states that the BJP government in Gujarat lobbied at “the highest levels” to relax border protocols. While military officials raised concerns about tank mobilisation and security surveillance along the international border, developers assured them that “solar platforms would be adequate in mitigating any threats from enemy tank movements.”
The developers also rejected military requests for adjustments to solar panel size, citing financial viability concerns. The defence ministry agreed in April 2023 to amend long-standing protocols that previously restricted major construction within 10 kilometres of the border.
The 445-square kilometre project, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020, is expected to generate 30 gigawatts of renewable energy at peak capacity – enough to power small European countries.
After the rules were relaxed, making the land significantly more valuable, it was transferred from state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India to the Adani Group.
The revelations follow two high-profile charges faced by Gautam Adani in the United States over the same project. The US Justice Department has filed criminal charges against Adani and his associates for allegedly paying ₹2,075 crore ($250 million) in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts that would yield over ₹16,600 crore ($2 billion) in profits.
The five-count criminal indictment, unsealed in November 2024 in New York, includes charges of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, securities fraud, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Simultaneously, the US Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil charges against Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and others for allegedly violating securities laws.
The Adani Group has maintained it secured all necessary approvals and followed regulations for the Khavda project. The company has also denied the US allegations as baseless.
Read the full report by The Guardian here.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
