Electricity Act, 2003
68. Overhead lines.-
1.
An
overhead line shall, with prior approval of the Appropriate Government, be
installed or kept installed above ground in accordance with the provisions of
sub-section (2).
2.
The
provisions contained in sub-section (1) shall not apply--
a. in relation to an
electric line which has a nominal voltage not exceeding 11 kilovolts and is
used or intended to be used for supplying to a single consumer;
b. in relation to so
much of an electric line as is or will be within premises in the occupation or
control of the person responsible for its installation; or
c. in such other cases,
as may be prescribed.
1.
2.
3.
The
Appropriate Government shall, while granting approval under sub-section (1),
impose such conditions (including conditions as to the ownership and operation
of the line) as appear to it to be necessary.
4.
The
Appropriate Government may vary or revoke the approval at any time after the
end of such period as may be stipulated in the approval granted by it.
5.
Where
any tree standing or lying near an overhead line or where any structure or
other object which has been placed or has fallen near an overhead line
subsequent to the placing of such line, interrupts or interferes with, or is
likely to interrupt or interfere with, the conveyance or transmission of
electricity or the accessibility of any works, an Executive Magistrate or
authority specified by the Appropriate Government may, on the application of
the licensee, cause the tree, structure or object to be removed or otherwise
dealt with as he or it thinks fit.
6.
When
disposing of an application under sub-section (5), an Executive Magistrate or
authority specified under that sub-section shall, in the case of any tree in
existence before the placing of the overhead line, award to the person
interested in the tree such compensation as he thinks reasonable, and such
person may recover the same from the licensee.
Explanation-- For the purposes of
this section, the expression "tree" shall be deemed to include any
shrub, hedge, jungle growth or other plant.