Notification for Dahej (Gujarat) Nagothane (Maharashtra) Liquid Ethane Pipeline (DNEPL).

## Policy Analysis Report: Denotification of Land Acquisition for Petroleum and Mineral Pipelines in Maharashtra **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a government notification regarding the denotification of land acquisition for petroleum and mineral pipelines. Based on the provided text, the notification pertains to land originally acquired under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, specifically for Ms Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited in Khalapur, Raigad, Maharashtra. The core purpose of this notification is to release specific land parcels from the Right of User (ROU) that are no longer required as they are not within the final pipeline alignment. The key finding is that the government, upon the recommendation of the Competent Authority, has denotified specified land parcels after Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited finalized the pipeline alignment. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a government notification concerning the denotification of land acquisition for petroleum and mineral pipelines. The analysis is solely based on the information provided in the notification text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This notification functions as an amendment to a prior action under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 (50 of 1962). Specifically, it amends notification S.O. 1396 E dated 07042016, which initially declared the acquisition of Right of User (ROU) in land. * **Core Objective:** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to adjust the land acquisition based on the actual pipeline alignment, releasing land parcels that are no longer required for the project. This ensures efficient use of land resources and reduces the burden on landowners whose properties are not essential for the pipeline. **4. Background and Rationale:** This notification is an amendment; therefore, the rationale focuses on why the *specific amendment* was necessary. The provided text indicates that Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited has finalized the pipeline alignment. The Competent Authority then submitted a report identifying land parcels within the originally acquired area that are no longer needed as they fall outside the final alignment. This amendment allows the government to release those parcels, rectifying the initial acquisition to align with the practical requirements of the pipeline construction. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification specifically focuses on *changes* to previous land acquisition. * **Original Policy Changed:** The notification amends the initial notification S.O. 1396 E dated 07042016, which declared the acquisition of Right of User in land under Section 6(1) of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new provision is the *denotification* of Right of User (ROU) for specific land parcels listed in the schedule annexed to the notification. This means the government relinquishes its acquired rights over these defined areas. * **Difference/Effect:** The effect of this change is that the landowners of the denotified parcels regain full control and ownership rights over their land, free from the restrictions imposed by the initial land acquisition for the pipeline project. Specifically, the land parcels listed in the schedule under the Mandal/Tehsil/Taluk: Khalapur District: Raigad State: Maharashtra, pertaining to the villages of Madap and Kharsundi. These villages are now free of the "Right of User". **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes are: * **Landowners:** Specifically, those landowners in the villages of Madap and Kharsundi (Khalapur, Raigad, Maharashtra) whose land parcels are listed in the schedule. They benefit from the release of their land from ROU. * **Ms Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited:** While they initiated the process by providing information to the Competent Authority, they are also stakeholders as it allows for efficient resource allocation. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India:** Responsible for issuing the notification and making the final decision on denotification. * **Competent Authority:** Responsible for reviewing the proposed changes from Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited and submitting a report to the government. * **Ms Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited:** Responsible for providing information to the Competent Authority regarding the final pipeline alignment. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification doesn't specify detailed timelines, but implies a procedure: Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited determines final alignment -> Informs the Competent Authority -> Competent Authority reviews and submits a report -> Government considers the report and issues the denotification. * **Implementation Aspects Specifically Related to Changes:** The primary implementation aspect is the formal record-keeping and updating of land records to reflect the denotification of ROU for the specified parcels. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these changes is: * **Release of Land Burden:** The denotification allows the land parcels outside the pipeline alignment to be used for their original or other purposes, as decided by the landowners. * **Reduced Project Costs:** This indicates better land acquisition practices, and potentially reduced project cost. * **Improved Landowner Relations:** The action aims to reduce grievances from the owners of the land plots no longer necessary for the project. **9. Conclusion:** This government notification represents a refinement of a prior land acquisition under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. By denotifying specific land parcels in Maharashtra no longer required for the Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited project, the government aims to optimize land use, reduce the burden on landowners, and improve the efficiency of the pipeline development. This action highlights the importance of continuous assessment and adjustment in large-scale infrastructure projects to minimize unnecessary impact on land resources and local communities.

Key Entities Referenced