A local farmer ROW dispute Gujarat solar project conflict has led the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) to grant a 42-day timeline extension to GSP Intermediates Private Limited for its captive solar power plant in Mahisagar district. The project faced significant delays in setting up power evacuation infrastructure following access and Right of Way (ROW) disagreements with local farmers and erstwhile landowners.
Land Access Obstructions and Legal Disputes in Balasinor
The captive solar installation, comprising 3.25 MW AC and 4 MW DC capacity, is located at Othvad village in Balasinor Taluka of Mahisagar district. The plant's electricity was planned to be evacuated through the 66 kV Bhutiya Substation.
According to submissions by GSP Intermediates, on-site construction work faced resistance from erstwhile landowners and farmers once civil activities commenced. Key developments regarding the site obstructions include:
- Site Access Blockades: Project entry points were blocked on multiple occasions, creating law-and-order concerns that required formal police protection.
- Revenue Code Litigation: Erstwhile landowners initiated legal proceedings under the Bombay Land Revenue Code before the Deputy Collector's office located at Balasinor.
- Dispute Resolution: The RTS appeal filed by landowners was eventually withdrawn, with the Balasinor Deputy Collector passing a formal order disposing of the case on November 15, 2025.
GERC Rulings on Force Majeure and Relief Duration
While the developer requested a 365-day extension citing site disruption and common infrastructure dependencies with sister firm GSP Crop Science, GERC approved relief exclusively for the documented period of physical obstruction.
The Commission determined that the delay between October 5, 2025 (when police assistance was sought) and November 15, 2025 (when the RTS revenue dispute concluded) amounted to 42 days, qualifying as a Force Majeure event beyond the developer's control.
GERC rejected a separate plea for a 60-day extension based on monsoon rainfall and waterlogging during 2025. The regulatory body stated that the petitioner did not provide independent, verifiable proof demonstrating unusual rainfall that directly halted construction, noting photographs of waterlogged access routes alone do not establish a Force Majeure condition.
Evacuation Infrastructure Status and GETCO Directives
The physical infrastructure for power evacuation has seen substantial progress toward operational readiness:
- The Chief Electrical Inspector to Government (CEIG) inspected the evacuation network on June 30, 2026, granting charging permission on July 1.
- Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) recorded that erection work for the 66 kV evacuation line and bay was completed on July 18.
- Because the initial regulatory deadline of June 30 had lapsed while the petition remained pending, GETCO had withheld final charging clearance.
Following the ruling, GERC directed GSP Intermediates to approach GETCO within 30 days of the order to complete all remaining regulatory, procedural, and technical formalities. GETCO has been instructed to process the project's documentation and facilitate physical connectivity and commissioning in line with applicable statutory frameworks.
