In pursuance of powers conferred by Explanation 1 below sub rule 1 of Rule 4 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Acquisition of Right of User in Lands Rules

## Report on Notification Regarding Termination of Operations for Ethane Pipeline Project in Gujarat **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification published by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, concerning the termination of operations for an Ethane pipeline project undertaken by Reliance Gas Pipelines Limited (RGPL) in Valsad district, Gujarat. The notification, issued under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, declares specific dates for the termination of operations in various villages within the Valsad district and outlines the legal and procedural context for this decision. This report details the legal basis for the termination, the affected areas, and the likely implications of this notification. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed overview and analysis of a specific notification concerning the termination of pipeline operations related to an ethane pipeline project in Gujarat, based on the provided official text. This report aims to inform affected parties and stakeholders about the legal and practical implications of this notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This notification acts as an amendment of sorts, in that it refers to the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 and the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Acquisition of Right of User in Lands Rules, 1963. * **Core Objective:** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to formally declare the termination dates of operations for the Ethane pipeline project in specific villages within the Valsad district of Gujarat, as mandated by the relevant legal framework. **4. Background and Rationale:** This notification likely signals the completion, relocation, or discontinuation of a phase of the Ethane pipeline project in the specified areas. The amendment is most likely needed to formally document and recognize the operational completion within specific villages under the jurisdiction of the act, enabling subsequent legal and administrative procedures relating to land use rights. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is effectively an amendment to the existing permissions and land use agreements related to the pipeline. The critical change introduced by the notification is the formal declaration of "Date of Termination of Operation" for specific villages within the Valsad district. * The original policy or permission allowed for the use of land for the pipeline. * The *new* rule/provision is the declaration of specific termination dates for operations in designated villages. This means that the operational phase of the project, specifically related to those pieces of land, has ended. * The effect of this change is to formally release those specific land parcels from the "right of user" previously granted for the pipeline project. This likely triggers procedures related to land restoration (if applicable) and the reversion of land rights. The notification explicitly lists these dates for individual villages within Valsad tehsil, Pardi tehsil, and Umargam tehsil: * **Valsad Tehsil:** Vaghaldhara, Kochvada, Gadariya * **Pardi Tehsil:** Sonwada, Rohina, Dumlav, Ambach * **Umargam Tehsil:** Borlai These dates are tied to specific notifications (S.O. No. and Date) issued under sub-section 1 of Section 6 of the Act, likely the initial notifications granting the "right of user" for the pipeline. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the directly affected stakeholders are: * **Reliance Gas Pipelines Limited (RGPL):** The company responsible for the Ethane pipeline project. * **Landowners in Valsad District (Gujarat):** Specifically, those whose land was subject to the "right of user" acquisition for the pipeline in the listed villages. * **Government of Gujarat:** Relevant administrative bodies responsible for land management and resource allocation in the Valsad district. * **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** They hold overarching authority and are responsible for policy implementation **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, through authorized personnel (H.R. Kalaiya, GAS), is responsible for issuing the notification. District authorities in Valsad are likely involved in implementing the changes. * **Timelines and Procedures:** The notification itself establishes the "Date of Termination of Operation" for each village. Following these dates, procedures related to relinquishing land rights and potential land restoration are likely to be initiated. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The primary intended outcome of these changes is to formally recognize the completion of the operational phase of the Ethane pipeline project in specific areas. The likely impact of these changes includes: * **Land Rights:** Landowners in the specified villages can expect the "right of user" restrictions on their land to be lifted, potentially allowing them to resume previous land use activities (subject to any necessary restoration work). * **Administrative Closure:** The government can proceed with the administrative closure of the land acquisition process for those specific areas. * **Project Accounting:** RGPL can finalize project accounting and potentially reallocate resources to other phases or projects. **9. Conclusion:** The notification represents a formal step in the completion process of the Ethane pipeline project within specific areas of the Valsad district. The declaration of "Date of Termination of Operation" allows for the reversion of land rights, administrative closure, and project completion activities. This notification is a significant indicator of progress within the overall infrastructure project and provides a legal basis for subsequent actions by landowners, RGPL, and government agencies.

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