Overhead lines
Section 68 of the Electricity Act, 2003 deals with overhead lines. 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). The Act came into force on 10 Jun 2003.
(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.
(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.
Section 68, The Electricity Act, 2003 (Act 36 of 2003).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Power Grid Corpn. of India vs Century Textiles&inds. LTD & ORS
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A Central Transmission Utility, upon being conferred the powers of Telegraph Authority under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003, has the legal authority to lay high-voltage electricity transmission lines across privately leased land without the consent of the lessee, as the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 prioritizes unobstructed access for telegraph and electricity transmission lines in the larger public interest. The requirement of prior consent under Rule 3 of the Works of Licensees Rules, 2006 does not apply to such utilities. Compensation for any damage caused by the exercise of these powers is determined by the District Judge under Section 16 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, not by administrative authorities. The action of the utility is not arbitrary merely because the cost of realignment is lower than the financial loss to the private party, as the court must consider the stage of project completion, technical feasibility, and the national importance of the infrastructure project.
On this section: Overhead lines can be installed with prior approval of the Appropriate Government; Court found such approval was obtained by Power Grid
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 68
What have the courts held on Section 68 of the Electricity Act?
Power Grid Corpn. of India vs Century Textiles&inds. LTD & ORS (14 Dec 2016) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Overhead lines can be installed with prior approval of the Appropriate Government; Court found such approval was obtained by Power Grid.
How do I find court cases under Section 68 of the Electricity Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Electricity Act 2003 68, section 68 Electricity Act 2003, section 68 of the Electricity Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Power Grid Corpn. of India vs Century Textiles&inds. LTD & ORS (14 Dec 2016).
What should I read with Section 68 of the Electricity Act, and has it changed?
2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it. One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Supply Code (Second Amendment) 2018 (2018).
When did Section 68 of the Electricity Act come into force?
Section 68 of the Electricity Act, cited as Electricity Act 2003 68, came into force on 10 Jun 2003, having been enacted on 26 May 2003. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.