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 in Assam **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, regarding the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for the transportation of natural gas. The notification declares the government's intention to acquire RoU for laying a pipeline by Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited in the Guwahati-Numaligarh section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project in Assam. The core purpose, as inferred from the text, is to facilitate the construction of this pipeline in the public interest. The report identifies the involved parties, affected land, and the process for lodging objections. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of the Notification S.O. 1557(E) issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, as published in the Gazette of India on April 1, 2022. This analysis is based solely on the information contained within the provided text. **3. Policy Overview:** * This appears to be a *New Policy* action, initiating the RoU acquisition process rather than amending an existing one. * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as stated in the provided text, is to facilitate the transportation of natural gas through the Guwahati-Numaligarh section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project in Assam. This is to be achieved by acquiring the Right of User in land necessary for laying the pipeline. The underlying objective is stated as being in the "public interest". **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Rationale (Inferred):** The policy addresses the need for infrastructure development in the natural gas sector in the North East region of India. The text suggests that the existing infrastructure is insufficient to meet the demand for natural gas or to facilitate its efficient distribution. The acquisition of land rights is crucial for the construction of the pipeline, which is necessary for transporting natural gas. Without the secure RoU, the pipeline project would be significantly impeded or impossible. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * As a *New Policy* action, the notification's key provisions are: * **Declaration of Intent:** The Government of India declares its intention to acquire the Right of User in land for the purpose of laying a natural gas pipeline. * **Pipeline Project Identification:** The pipeline project is identified as the Guwahati-Numaligarh Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project in the State of Assam. * **Implementing Agency:** Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited is designated as the agency responsible for laying the pipeline. * **Land Identification:** The specific land parcels subject to the RoU acquisition are described in the Schedule, including district, circle, mouza, village, dag number, square, hectare, are, and metre measurements (example: District Kamrup, State Assam, Kamalpur Circle, Karara Mouza, Malibari Village, Dag No 1448 etc.). * **Objection Mechanism:** A process is established for persons interested in the land to object to the acquisition of the Right of User. This involves submitting written objections to the Competent Authority, Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited, State of Assam, within twenty-one days from the date the notification copies are made available to the public. * **Legal Basis:** The action is taken under the authority of subsection 1 of section 3 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the directly affected stakeholders are: * **Landowners:** Individuals or entities owning land within the identified areas (Kamrup district in Assam specifically). * **Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited:** The company responsible for laying the pipeline. * **Residents of Assam:** Broadly affected due to the "public interest" clause and anticipated benefits of the pipeline. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited is the primary responsible agency for laying the pipeline and also acts as the Competent Authority for receiving objections. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the overarching governmental body. * **Timelines:** The text specifies a timeline of twenty-one days for landowners to submit objections after the notification copies are made available to the general public. Further timelines regarding project milestones are not specified in the provided text. * **Procedures:** The procedure outlined in the text involves the government declaring its intention to acquire RoU, followed by a period for objections, and presumably subsequent steps for land acquisition and pipeline construction as per the 1962 Act. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * The likely intended outcomes of this policy action are: * **Facilitation of Pipeline Construction:** Securing the necessary land rights to enable the construction of the natural gas pipeline. * **Increased Natural Gas Transportation Capacity:** Enhancing the capacity to transport natural gas through the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid. * **Economic Development:** Contributing to economic development in the region through improved energy infrastructure. * **Reduced Reliance on Other Energy Sources:** Possibly reducing reliance on other, potentially less clean, energy sources. **9. Conclusion:** The Notification S.O. 1557(E) represents a significant step towards developing the natural gas infrastructure in the North East region of India. By initiating the process of acquiring the Right of User in land, the government aims to facilitate the construction of the Guwahati-Numaligarh section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. The policy action is crucial for ensuring the efficient transportation of natural gas and promoting economic development in the region. The provided text highlights the initial stage of this process, focusing on land acquisition and stakeholder engagement through an objection mechanism. The successful implementation of this policy depends on efficient land acquisition, effective communication with affected landowners, and adherence to the timelines and procedures outlined in the 1962 Act and subsequent notifications.

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