As Rajasthan sharpens its position on India’s clean energy map, a quieter story is unfolding closer to the state capital. In villages around Jaipur and adjoining districts, farmers are learning to live — and work — beneath high-voltage transmission lines without losing productive land or income. What was once viewed with apprehension is increasingly being accepted as a necessary and manageable part of modern infrastructure.
A significant share of electricity generated from solar and wind projects in western and northern districts of Rajasthan flows through transmission corridors converging towards Jaipur. These lines are essential for supplying power to cities and industries and, by necessity, pass through agricultural land. In the initial stages, farmers were concerned about potential loss of productivity. Ground realities, however, suggest otherwise.
Transmission projects do not involve land acquisition in the conventional sense. While small parcels are used for tower foundations, the land between towers remains fully cultivable. In several villages of different district, farmers continue to grow bajra, mustard, pulses and fodder crops under 400 kV and 765 kV transmission lines without any noticeable impact on yields.
Experts associated with transmission planning say tower design and height are now being customised to local agricultural conditions. Taller conductors and longer spans reduce the number of towers across fields, leaving larger uninterrupted stretches for cultivation. During construction, efforts are made to minimise crop damage and preserve topsoil so that farmers can resume sowing within the same agricultural season.
Energy sector expert Saddaf Alam said transmission lines do not consume land the way roads or industrial projects do. “With modern technology, more than 95% of the land under a transmission corridor remains cultivable. When compensation is fair and local power supply improves, it becomes beneficial for farmers as well,” he said.
Alam added that around Jaipur, transmission corridors are no longer limited to crop cultivation alone. Fodder production and livestock grazing continue as before, supporting dairy-based livelihoods. “Some farmers have even started small nurseries beneath transmission lines, growing saplings for horticulture and plantation drives. What was once seen as restricted space is now being put to productive use,” he said.
Agricultural economist Ramesh Chand underlined the importance of reliable electricity for modern farming. “Power is a critical input — from irrigation to storage. If transmission lines are planned responsibly, farmers can benefit from better electricity access without losing productive land,” he said.
As Rajasthan expands its footprint in clean energy, the experience around Jaipur indicates that with thoughtful planning, transparent compensation and consistent dialogue, power infrastructure and agriculture can move forward together — turning initial scepticism into sustained confidence across rural landscapes.