Security Risks and Political Controversy Surround Adani’s Khavda Energy Project
A recent investigative report by The Guardian, authored by Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Ravi Nair, has revealed that the Indian government relaxed national security protocols along the Pakistan border to facilitate the construction of a massive renewable energy park, which was ultimately awarded to the Adani Group, a conglomerate controlled by billionaire Gautam Adani.
Adani’s the Khavda renewable energy park is the largest in the world. Photo courtesy: Amit Dave/Reuters
The project in question is the Khavda plant in Gujarat, touted as the largest renewable energy project in the world. This development comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Adani’s close ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to The Guardian, official documents indicate that the defence ministry amended long-standing security protocols to allow construction in sensitive border areas, making the land commercially viable for renewable energy projects. The site is just 1 km from the Pakistan border in the Rann of Kutch, a region that has previously been a conflict zone between India and Pakistan.
Security Concerns Raised
The report cites military experts who have raised concerns about the implications of constructing critical infrastructure so close to a volatile international border. Ajai Shukla, a retired Indian army colonel and defence analyst, was quoted as saying, “It is strategically unwise to create a hybrid wind and solar power generation asset within easy striking distance of the India-Pakistan border.”
The site is just 1 km from the Pakistan border in the Rann of Kutch, a region that has previously been a conflict zone between India and Pakistan.
The Guardian report further highlights that confidential communications revealed apprehensions among senior military officials about the impact of solar panels on tank mobilisation and security surveillance. However, the developers assured that the solar platforms would mitigate any threats from enemy tank movements, a claim met with skepticism by defence analysts.
Controversial Land Allocation
The report also details how the land for the project was initially allotted to the state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). However, after the defence ministry agreed to relax border regulations, the land was reassigned to the Adani Group.
Workers install solar panels at the renewable energy park in Khavda controlled by the Adani Group. Courtesy: Punit Paranjpe/AFP
Confidential documents cited by The Guardian suggest that SECI was encouraged to surrender the land at a meeting chaired by India’s renewable energy minister, R.K. Singh, in May 2023.
This reallocation has proven highly lucrative for the Adani Group, with the Khavda park now occupying 445 square kilometers, an area four times the size of Paris. The plant is projected to generate 30GW of renewable energy, enough to power nations such as Belgium, Chile, or Switzerland.
Allegations of Corruption and Political Favouritism
The report comes at a time when Gautam Adani is facing allegations of fraud. In November, the US government charged Adani with his alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme linked to renewable power contracts from the Khavda complex. The Adani Group has denied all allegations.
Opposition leaders have accused the Modi government of favouring the Adani Group, particularly in Gujarat, where Adani’s business empire was established during Modi’s tenure as chief minister.
In December, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi of “handing over the country to Adani” and claimed that “Adani has hijacked India.”
Response from Adani Group and Government
In response to the allegations, an Adani spokesperson stated, “We are fully compliant with all the state and central government laws and regulations and have secured all the necessary approvals from the relevant competent authorities.”
The Indian government did not respond to The Guardian’s request for comment.
Strategic Implications
The Guardian report has sparked debate about the strategic implications of altering border security norms for commercial gain. Critics argue that it places additional defence responsibilities on the military for the benefit of a private entity.
As the controversy unfolds, questions about the intersection of national security, political influence, and corporate interests continue to mount, with the Khavda project at the epicenter of this debate. 
Team PT
punjabtodaynews@gmail.com
Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.
Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.
— Team PT