Publication of Notification in the Extra Ordinary Gazette of India under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (ARUL) Act, 1962 for North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project of M/s. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL).

## Policy Analysis Report: Acquisition of Right of User for Natural Gas Pipeline - Panisagar-Agartala Section **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, regarding the proposed acquisition of the Right of User (RoU) in land for laying a natural gas pipeline. The notification, published on May 20, 2025, concerns the Panisagar-Agartala Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project in the State of Tripura. The core purpose, as stated in the text, is to facilitate the transportation of natural gas by granting RoU to Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited. The report details the policy's objectives, key provisions regarding land acquisition, affected stakeholders, and potential impact on landowners. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an informative analysis of a government notification pertaining to the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for a natural gas pipeline project. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification, aiming to provide a clear understanding of the policy's intent, provisions, and potential impact. **3. Policy Overview:** * This is a **New Policy** initiative related to land acquisition for a specific infrastructure project. * **Core Objective(s):** The primary objective, as explicitly stated, is to enable the transportation of natural gas through the Panisagar-Agartala Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project by acquiring the Right of User in the necessary land. **4. Background and Rationale:** As this is a new policy pertaining to a specific project, the likely problem/issue the policy addresses, inferred from the text, is the necessity to secure the legal right to utilize land for the construction and operation of the natural gas pipeline. Without this legal right (Right of User), the pipeline project, deemed to be in the "public interest", could not proceed. The acquisition facilitates the development of critical energy infrastructure. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Declaration of Intent:** The Government of India declares its intention to acquire the Right of User in the land described in the attached schedule. * **Legal Basis:** The notification is issued under subsection 1 of section 3 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. * **Objection Mechanism:** Any person with an interest in the land has 21 days from the date the notification is made public to object in writing to the acquisition. Objections should be directed to the Competent Authority, Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited, State of Tripura. * **Land Details:** A schedule lists the specific plots of land (Dag No.), along with their area in hectares (Hec.) and square meters (Sq.Mtr.), within the Dhalai District of Tripura, that are subject to the RoU acquisition. This includes land within the Manu Karamchhara Circle, specifically Nalkata Tehsil and Mouza. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * **Landowners:** Individuals or entities owning land within the specified areas (Dag Nos.) listed in the schedule, specifically in the Dhalai District of Tripura, Manu Karamchhara Circle, Nalkata Tehsil and Mouza. These landowners are directly affected by the potential acquisition of RoU in their land. * **Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited:** The company responsible for laying the pipeline and the designated "Competent Authority" for receiving objections. * **Government of India (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas):** The issuing authority and the body responsible for ensuring the project aligns with public interest. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** * Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (issuing authority) * Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (Competent Authority for implementation and grievance redressal) * **Timelines/Procedures:** * Landowners have 21 days to submit written objections from the date the notification copies are made available to the general public. * The Act of 1962 provides the overall legal framework for the acquisition process. Further information regarding the process could be found in the act itself. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes and impact are: * **Facilitation of Pipeline Construction:** Acquisition of the Right of User will enable Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited to lay the natural gas pipeline, a critical component of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. * **Potential Compensation:** While not explicitly stated in this notification, the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962 typically involves provisions for compensation to landowners for the RoU acquisition. This aspect would need to be confirmed based on the broader legal framework. * **Economic Development:** The pipeline project could contribute to improved energy infrastructure and economic development in the region by facilitating the transportation of natural gas. **9. Conclusion:** The notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas initiates the process of acquiring the Right of User in land for the Panisagar-Agartala Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. This action is taken under the authority of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962, and is intended to facilitate the transportation of natural gas, deemed to be in the public interest. Landowners within the specified areas have a defined window to raise objections. The successful acquisition of RoU is crucial for the project's implementation and its potential contribution to regional energy infrastructure and economic development.

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