Publication of De Notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India under Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (ARUL) Act, 1962 for Dahej (Gujarat) Nagothane (Maharashtra) Liquid Ethane Pipeline (DNEPL).

## Policy Analysis Report: Denotification of Land Parcels for Petroleum and Mineral Pipelines in Maharashtra **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, pertaining to the denotification of specific land parcels in Maharashtra acquired for the Right of User (ROU) for petroleum and mineral pipelines. The notification, dated January 17, 2022, essentially reverses the acquisition of ROU for land parcels that are no longer part of the final pipeline alignment. This amendment benefits landowners in the specified areas and streamlines the land usage rights. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a detailed analysis of the notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas regarding the denotification of certain land parcels previously acquired for petroleum and mineral pipelines in Maharashtra. The analysis is based solely on the provided notification text. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification is an **Amendment** to the original policy regarding the acquisition of Right of User (ROU) in land for petroleum and mineral pipelines, specifically referencing notification number S.O. 1353(E) dated 05/04/2016. * The core objective of *this amendment* is to denotify specific land parcels where the pipeline was initially intended to be laid, but are no longer within the final pipeline alignment, as determined by Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited. **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment is driven by the need to adjust the original land acquisition plan based on the final pipeline alignment. After the initial notification for ROU acquisition, Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited refined the pipeline route. Consequently, certain land parcels originally identified for acquisition were deemed unnecessary for the project. This amendment addresses the need to rectify the ROU status of these parcels, likely to return usage rights to the original landowners.. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification is an amendment and brings the following key change: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The original notification, S.O. 1353(E) dated 05/04/2016, declared the acquisition of ROU in land. This amendment *reverses* that declaration for specific plots of land. * **New Rule/Provision:** The new provision is the denotification of the ROU for land parcels listed in the schedule appended to the notification. This means the government relinquishes its right of usage acquired under the original notification for those specific parcels. * **Difference/Effect of the Change:** The effect of this change is that the landowners of the listed parcels regain full control and usage rights of their land, which were previously encumbered by the ROU. This also likely reduces the overall compensation the government will have to pay in relation to the pipeline project. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are: * **Landowners** of the specific land parcels listed in the schedule, located in the Karjat Tehsil, Raigad District, Maharashtra. These landowners are directly impacted as they regain full rights to their property. * **Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited,** which initiated the request for denotification and whose pipeline alignment change triggered this amendment. * **The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,** which is responsible for overseeing the acquisition and management of land for petroleum and mineral pipelines. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the responsible body for issuing the notification and overseeing the denotification process. Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited likely plays a role in communicating the final alignment details. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification itself acts as the implementation mechanism. No specific timelines for further action are mentioned in the provided text, but it can be inferred that the relevant land records will need to be updated to reflect the denotification. Further steps may include informing the affected landowners of their restored rights. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of these specific changes are: * **Resolution of Land Rights Issues:** Returning the land rights to the owners of the specified parcels, thereby addressing potential grievances and disputes related to land acquisition. * **Reduced Project Costs:** Potentially lower compensation payments to landowners, resulting in a more cost-effective pipeline project for Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited. * **Improved Project Efficiency:** Streamlining the land acquisition process by ensuring that only necessary land is acquired and maintained under ROU. **9. Conclusion:** The notification regarding the denotification of land parcels for petroleum and mineral pipelines represents a necessary adjustment to the original land acquisition plan. This amendment, triggered by changes in the pipeline alignment, ensures that landowners regain their property rights for land not required for the project, leading to a fairer and potentially more efficient implementation of the pipeline project. The notification signifies the government's responsiveness to project-specific changes and commitment to addressing land-related concerns.

Key Entities Referenced