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

## Report on Petroleum and Natural Gas Policy Regarding Liquid Ethane Pipeline **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a government notification regarding the acquisition of the Right of User (ROU) in land for laying a liquid ethane pipeline. The policy facilitates the transportation of liquid ethane from Dahej, Gujarat, to Nagothane, Maharashtra, by Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited (REPL) on behalf of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). This report details the policy's objectives, key provisions concerning land acquisition, affected stakeholders, and potential impacts on related industry. **2. Introduction:** This report provides a detailed overview and analysis of a notification issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, concerning the acquisition of the Right of User (ROU) for land to lay a dedicated liquid ethane pipeline. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new* policy specifically addressing the acquisition of ROU for the Dahej-Nagothane liquid ethane pipeline. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective is to facilitate the transportation of liquid ethane between Dahej and Nagothane by enabling the laying of a dedicated pipeline by REPL. This involves acquiring the Right of User (ROU) in the land required for the pipeline. **4. Background and Rationale:** The policy addresses the need for efficient transportation of liquid ethane between RIL's manufacturing divisions in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The notification states that the project is deemed necessary in the public interest, implying that the existing transportation methods are insufficient or that the pipeline offers significant economic or strategic advantages. The policy creates the mechanism to obtain the ROU in land required for the pipeline which can be used by the developer, REPL, for building the infrastructure in the public interest. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Declaration of Intent to Acquire ROU:** The Government of India declares its intention to acquire the Right of User in land described in the attached schedule (mentioning specific villages, survey numbers, and areas) for laying the liquid ethane pipeline. * **Objection Mechanism:** Any person with an interest in the specified land has 21 days from the date the notification is made available to the public to object in writing to the acquisition of the ROU. Objections must be submitted to the Competent Authority, Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited, at the specified address. * **Applicable Legislation:** The policy invokes the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 (50 of 1962), as the legal basis for the ROU acquisition. * **Geographic Scope:** The schedule lists specific villages in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, including areas under Mandal/Tehsil/Taluks of Karjat, Khalapur and Pen which will be impacted by the ROU. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** * **Landowners:** Individuals or entities owning land in the specified villages and survey numbers within the Raigad district of Maharashtra. They are directly affected by the ROU acquisition and have the right to object. * **Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited (REPL):** The company responsible for laying the pipeline and the recipient of the ROU. REPL is also designated as the Competent Authority for receiving objections. * **Reliance Industries Limited (RIL):** The beneficiary of the pipeline, as it connects its Dahej and Nagothane manufacturing divisions. * **Government of India (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas):** The issuing authority of the notification and the entity responsible for overseeing the ROU acquisition process. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** Reliance Ethane Pipelines Limited (REPL) is responsible for implementing the pipeline project and acts as the point of contact for objections. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas oversees the process. * **Timelines:** Landowners have 21 days to object to the ROU acquisition after the notification is made available to the public. The notification was issued on October 29, 2021. * **Procedures:** The acquisition process is governed by the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. This involves notifying affected parties, providing an opportunity for objections, and potentially determining compensation for the ROU. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome is the successful laying of the Dahej-Nagothane liquid ethane pipeline. This would enable a more efficient and reliable transportation of liquid ethane between RIL's manufacturing divisions. The pipeline is expected to have a positive impact on the regional economy, potentially leading to increased industrial activity and related employment. **9. Conclusion:** The notification signifies a crucial step in establishing the infrastructure required for the efficient transportation of liquid ethane between RIL's facilities. It triggers the process of acquiring the Right of User in land, with specific provisions for landowner objections and implementation responsibilities assigned to REPL. The successful implementation of this policy will facilitate the transportation of liquid ethane, furthering industrial activity.

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