Publication of Notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (ARUL) Act, 1962 for Dahej Uran Panvel Dhabol Natural Gas Pipeline of GAIL (India) Limited.

## Report on Government of India Notification Regarding Right of User for Dahej-Uran Pipeline **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a Government of India notification regarding the acquisition of the Right of User (RoU) for land needed for the Dahej-Uran-Panvel-Dhabol Natural Gas Pipeline project in Gujarat. The notification, dated January 20, 2022, declares the acquisition of RoU for specific land parcels and directs that this right vests in GAIL India Limited. The core purpose is to facilitate the laying of the natural gas pipeline. This report details the legal basis, key provisions, affected parties, and potential impacts of this notification. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an informative overview of a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, concerning the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) for land related to the Dahej-Uran-Panvel-Dhabol Natural Gas Pipeline project. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** * This notification is not an amendment but rather a specific declaration and directive under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. * **Core Objective:** Based on the text, the primary objective is to legally acquire the Right of User for specified land parcels to facilitate the construction and operation of the Dahej-Uran-Panvel-Dhabol Natural Gas Pipeline project. This acquisition is intended to enable the transportation of natural gas through the specified pipeline. **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy action for specific land, the notification suggests the following problem/issue is being addressed: The Government of India, through GAIL India Limited, requires specific land parcels to lay a pipeline for natural gas transportation. This requires legal acquisition of RoU, following due process, to enable the project to proceed. The notification indicates prior steps were taken: intention to acquire published, objections considered, and a report submitted by the Competent Authority. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is a new policy action, and the following details the main components, rules, and actions mandated by the text: * **Declaration of RoU Acquisition:** The Government of India formally declares that the Right of User in the land specified in the Schedule attached to the notification is acquired for laying the pipeline. * **Vesting of RoU:** The RoU, instead of vesting in the Government of India, vests directly in GAIL India Limited, free from all encumbrances, on the date of publication of the declaration (January 27, 2022). * **Legal Basis:** The notification is issued under subsection 1 of section 6 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. It also references a previous notification S. O. No. 1167 E dated 10.03.2021 issued under sub section 1 of Section 3 of the Act, indicating the intention to acquire the RoU. * **Land Specification:** The Schedule lists the specific land parcels by State (Gujarat), District, Tehsil, Village, and Survey Number, along with their area in Hectares and Square Meters. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the provided text, the directly affected stakeholders include: * **GAIL India Limited:** As the entity in which the RoU is vested, GAIL is directly responsible for utilizing the land for pipeline construction and operation. * **Landowners/Occupants:** Individuals or entities who own or occupy the land parcels listed in the Schedule will be directly affected by the acquisition of RoU. They would have previously been given opportunity to object. * **Residents of Gujarat:** Particularly those residing in the districts of Navsari and Surat, stand to benefit from the construction of this pipeline due to improved access to natural gas. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** Responsible for issuing the notification and overseeing the RoU acquisition process. * **GAIL India Limited:** Responsible for utilizing the acquired RoU for pipeline construction and operation. * **Competent Authority:** Responsible for considering and disposing of objections related to the laying of the pipeline and submitting a report to the Government of India. * **Timelines and Procedures:** * The RoU vests in GAIL India Limited on the date of publication of the declaration (January 27, 2022). The text doesn't specify subsequent timelines for pipeline construction, but the vesting of RoU is a critical step enabling the project to move forward. The process includes prior notification, objection period, and Authority report before the RoU is declared. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes based on the notification include: * **Facilitation of Pipeline Construction:** The acquisition of RoU removes legal impediments to pipeline construction, allowing GAIL to proceed with the project. * **Increased Natural Gas Transportation Capacity:** The Dahej-Uran-Panvel-Dhabol pipeline will increase the capacity to transport natural gas, potentially benefiting industries and consumers in the region. * **Economic Development:** Improved access to natural gas can stimulate economic activity in the regions served by the pipeline. **9. Conclusion:** The Government of India notification is a significant step in facilitating the Dahej-Uran-Panvel-Dhabol Natural Gas Pipeline project. By legally acquiring the Right of User for specified land parcels and vesting it in GAIL India Limited, the notification removes a key obstacle to pipeline construction and operation. This policy action is expected to contribute to increased natural gas transportation capacity and economic development in the region.

Key Entities Referenced