## Policy Analysis Report: Acquisition of Right of User for Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline Project in Odisha
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a government notification concerning the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for the Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline (DHPL) project in the state of Odisha, specifically section 6(1) of the land schedule. This notification details the acquisition of RoU by GAIL India Limited for laying a natural gas pipeline. The key finding is that this notification specifies numerous land plots (survey numbers) across several villages and tahasils in the Balasore district for the project, ensuring GAIL India Limited's unencumbered access to these lands for pipeline construction.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of a government notification pertaining to the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for the Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline (DHPL) project in Odisha. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This notification relates to the *Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline (Acquisition of Right of Users in Land) Act, 1962*. It is an amendment to the initial policy published via notification S.O. No. 2401(E) Dated 17.06.2021.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to legally acquire the Right of User in specific land parcels to facilitate the laying of a natural gas pipeline by GAIL India Limited. This acquisition aims to ensure the efficient transportation of natural gas through the Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This notification amends a previous one. The provided text appears to be a continuation of land acquisition declarations, specifying further plots of land.The implication is that the initial land acquisition process required further specification. This amendment likely addresses omissions or refinements needed to ensure the pipeline route has the necessary RoU. The need for this action implies that there may have been a previous issue with the initial scope of acquired lands.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This notification focuses on *specific* changes related to land acquisition for the DHPL project.
* **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** This notification details specific land parcels acquired under Section 6(1) of the Act. It adds or modifies the land schedule from the initial notification.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The core new provision is the listing of a detailed schedule (referenced as Section 61 LAND SCHEDULE) of land parcels. This table format lists:
* State (Odisha)
* District (Balasore)
* Tahasil (e.g., Basta)
* Village (e.g., Lachhaman Khunta)
* Survey Number (numerous entries provided)
* Area (Hectare, Are, Sq.mt.)
* **Difference/Effect of this Change:** This change provides a legally binding specification of the land over which GAIL India Limited now has Right of User. The RoU allows GAIL India Limited to lay the pipeline, free from encumbrances, on these specific plots. By explicitly listing these plots, the notification clarifies and legally secures GAIL's access for the pipeline construction.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders are:
* **GAIL India Limited:** As the entity receiving the RoU, GAIL is directly enabled to proceed with the pipeline construction on the specified lands.
* **Landowners in Balasore District, Odisha:** Owners of the land parcels listed in the schedule are directly affected by the acquisition of RoU. They are entitled to compensation as per the Act, even as the ownership still remains.
* **Residents of the villages and tahasils listed** who might be indirectly impacted by construction activities.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:**
* **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India:** Issuing the notification and responsible for the overall policy.
* **Competent Authority (mentioned in the preamble):** Likely responsible for assessing land requirements and submitting reports to the government.
* **GAIL India Limited:** Responsible for implementing the pipeline project and exercising the Right of User.
* **Timelines/Procedures:**
* The notification states that the RoU vests in GAIL India Limited "on this date of the publication of the declaration." This implies immediate effect upon publication.
* The text mentions a report submitted by the Competent Authority, suggesting an assessment process precedes the notification. However, the specifics of this process are not detailed in the provided text.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of this notification, and the changes it introduces, is to:
* **Facilitate the timely construction of the Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline:** By legally securing access to the required land, the notification removes a potential obstacle to project implementation.
* **Minimize project delays and cost overruns:** Clear land access rights reduce the risk of legal challenges or disruptions related to land disputes.
* **Provide clarity and legal certainty:** The detailed schedule ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the specific land parcels affected by the project.
**9. Conclusion:**
This notification concerning the acquisition of Right of User for the Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline project in Odisha is a crucial step in facilitating the construction of this important infrastructure. It specifies in detail the land parcels under the project's scope. The notification has a direct and positive impact on the progress of the DHPL project for GAIL India Limited.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Place of publication of the gazette, located in India.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The Indian government ministry that issued the notification.
Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline Acquisition of Right of Users in Land Act, 1962: The Act under which the notification regarding land acquisition for the pipeline is issued.
Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline: Pipeline project for transportation of natural gas.
DHPL: Acronym for Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline.
Odisha: State in India where the land acquisition is taking place for the Dhamra-Haldia Pipeline project.
GAIL India Limited: The company responsible for laying the pipeline.
JAGDISHPUR HALDIA BOKARO DHAMRA PIPELINE PROJECT: Name of the overall pipeline project, which includes the Dhamra to Haldia section.
BALASORE: District in Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
BASTA: Tahasil in Balasore district, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
LACHHAMAN KHUNTA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
GARAPADA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
ORIYASASAN: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
JHINKIRIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
NUAGAN: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
DHENUKHOJA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
CHANDANPUR: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
GUNDRISAHI: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
BAUNSAMUKHA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
BARAMADIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
KODIEBATIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
KUNDUPUR: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
BARUNAGARIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
MUNDIMARI: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
JHINJIPARA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
DUBULIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
KANCHANIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
CHAKARARA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
RENUPADA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
BARADA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
SIMILIA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
SENDIRI: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
SASAN SANBAR: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
PAUNSAKULI ALIAS RATNAKULI: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
MANIKPUR: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
PARIHARIPUR: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
GHULEI: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
ASTI: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
RAMCHAK: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
MACHHARANKA: Village in Basta Tahasil, Balasore District, Odisha where land acquisition is taking place.
RAKESH MISHRA: Under Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.