The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR) has announced plans to begin compensating landowners whose properties have been affected by the construction and right-of-way (RoW) of high-voltage power transmission lines across the country.
Under the new arrangement, the government will provide compensation to farmers and private landowners whose lands lie beneath or adjacent to major transmission corridors — an issue that has long drawn concern from rural communities and members of the National Assembly.
The announcement follows public and parliamentary pressure over the impact of electricity infrastructure on agricultural land and land development. A MoENR proposal reportedly includes options such as land replacement or other forms of compensation instead of relocating the electrical infrastructure itself, which officials say would be prohibitively expensive and technically difficult.
Discussions in the National Assembly and media reports indicate that eligibility for compensation may be limited to land acquired or affected prior to the installation of transmission lines, ensuring those directly impacted are prioritized.
This move aligns with broader government measures aimed at addressing the concerns of thousands of landowners nationwide whose properties have been affected by utilities such as the Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC). Last year, it was reported that more than 12,000 private land holdings were impacted by transmission lines, prompting calls for clearer policy and fair payouts.
The compensation initiative is expected to be rolled out progressively, with detailed eligibility criteria and payment mechanisms to be clarified by MoENR in forthcoming notifications.