Publication of Notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (ARUL) Act, 1962 for Jagdishpur Haldia and Bokaro Dhamra Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) and Spur Pipeline of GAIL (India) Limited.

## Report on Acquisition of Right of User for Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) Spur Pipeline Project Amendment **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas concerning the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) Spur Pipeline project. The notification, specifically S.O. 2220(E), dated 12th May 2022, declares the acquisition of the Right of User (RoU) for land in West Bengal, District Hooghly, for laying the pipeline. It further directs that the RoU, instead of vesting in the Government of India, will vest in GAIL India Limited. This report focuses on the implications of this land acquisition declaration for the mentioned pipeline project and its stakeholders. This is likely an amendment following S.O No: 4374E Dated 21.10.2021 **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an overview and analysis of Notification S.O. 2220(E), issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, regarding the acquisition of the Right of User for land related to the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) Spur Pipeline project. The analysis is based solely on the information provided within the notification text. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment To:** S.O No: 4374E Dated 21.10.2021 * **Core Objective(s) as stated or inferred from the provided text:** The core objective is to facilitate the laying of a natural gas pipeline by acquiring the Right of User (RoU) for specified land parcels and transferring that right to GAIL India Limited. This enables the continuation and potentially the expansion of the JHBDPL Spur Pipeline project. **4. Background and Rationale:** The provided text indicates that the Government of India had previously declared its intention to acquire the RoU for land needed for the JHBDPL Spur Pipeline. This specific notification follows a report from the Competent Authority, indicating that a review process has been completed. The rationale for this amendment, inferred from the text, is to address the specific land requirements in West Bengal for this project by GAIL, where the initial process needed a specific declaration of RoU transfer and final vesting in GAIL. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This notification functions as an amendment to the preceding notification. The core change introduced by this amendment is: * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The notification directly references the prior declaration of intent to acquire the RoU under S.O No: 4374E Dated 21.10.2021 issued under sub section 1 of section 3 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline Acquisition of Right of Users in Land Act, 1962. This amendment serves as the finalized acquisition. * **New Rule/Provision:** The key provision is the declaration that the Right of User in the specified land (detailed in the Schedule) is acquired and, crucially, will vest in GAIL India Limited, free from all encumbrances, instead of remaining with the Government of India. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** The effect of this change is to grant GAIL India Limited the immediate and unhindered right to use the specified land for laying the pipeline. This is crucial for the project's progress because it provides GAIL with the necessary legal rights to proceed with construction and operation on the acquired land. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary stakeholders directly affected by this notification are: * **GAIL India Limited:** As the entity receiving the Right of User, GAIL is the direct beneficiary. * **Landowners in the specified area (Hooghly, West Bengal):** Their land is subject to the Right of User acquisition. They are entitled to compensation as per the relevant Act. * **Residents and businesses in the vicinity of the pipeline route:** The pipeline construction and operation will likely have an impact on the surrounding communities. * **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** The ministry is responsible for overseeing the project and issuing the relevant notifications. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned?** * Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is responsible for issuing the notification. * GAIL India Limited is responsible for laying the pipeline. * Competent Authority (mentioned but not explicitly named) is responsible for submitting a report to the Government of India. * **Any timelines or procedures specified in the text?** The notification states that the Right of User vests in GAIL on the date of publication of the declaration. * **(Related specifically to the changes):** The vesting of rights in GAIL "free from all encumbrances" suggests a need for GAIL and potentially government agencies to ensure clear title and address any existing claims on the land. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these specific changes introduced by the amendment is to: * Facilitate the timely construction and operation of the JHBDPL Spur Pipeline project by granting GAIL India Limited the necessary rights to use the land. * Remove any legal impediments related to land rights that could potentially delay or halt the project. * Ensure the efficient transportation of natural gas through the pipeline. **9. Conclusion:** Notification S.O. 2220(E) marks a crucial step in the implementation of the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) Spur Pipeline project. By transferring the Right of User for specified land to GAIL India Limited, the notification facilitates the progression of this project by granting GAIL the rights it requires to build. This should lead to the efficient laying of pipeline and further development of JHBDPL Spur Pipeline.

Key Entities Referenced