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 the Right of User (RoU) in land for laying a natural gas pipeline in Assam. The core purpose, as stated in the notification, is to facilitate the transportation of natural gas through the Guwahati Numaligarh GNPL Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project by Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited. The report identifies the key provisions, stakeholders, implementation aspects, and expected outcomes based solely on the provided notification. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative analysis of the Government of India's notification concerning the acquisition of the Right of User in land for the Guwahati Numaligarh GNPL Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project in the state of Assam. The analysis is based solely on the text of the notification provided. **3. Policy Overview:** * This appears to be a new policy action related to an existing legal framework. It is not an amendment. * **Core Objective:** The core objective is to acquire the Right of User (RoU) in land to facilitate the transportation of natural gas through the specified section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. This objective is explicitly stated in the notification: "it is necessary in public interest that for transportation of natural gas... a pipeline should be laid..." **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy action under an existing legal framework, the notification addresses the need to establish the physical infrastructure for natural gas transportation in the specified region. The underlying problem is a lack of adequate pipeline infrastructure for transporting natural gas, which hinders the efficient distribution and utilization of this resource. The notification is a necessary step to overcome land access barriers and enable the construction of the pipeline. **5. Key Provisions:** The notification establishes the following key provisions: * **Declaration of Intent:** The Government of India declares its intention to acquire the Right of User in land for laying the pipeline. * **Legal Basis:** The action is taken under subsection 1 of section 3 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 (50 of 1962). * **Affected Area:** The land in question is described in the Schedule annexed to the notification, specifying the district (Sonitpur), state (Assam), area details, circle, mouza, village name, dag number, and square hectare/are/metre measurements. Specifically, the notification concerns land in the Gourmari Kachamari Grant village, with Dag number 170, measuring 00 Hectare, 05 Are, 55 Metre, and Dag number 169, measuring 00 Hectare, 01 Are, 20 Metre. * **Objection Mechanism:** Any person interested in the land has twenty-one days from the date of publication of the notification to object in writing to the acquisition of the RoU. * **Competent Authority:** Objections must be submitted to the Competent Authority, Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited, State of Assam. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the primary target audience and stakeholders are: * **Landowners:** Individuals or entities owning land within the specified area (Sonitpur district, Assam, specifically Gourmari Kachamari Grant village) are directly affected by the RoU acquisition. * **Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited:** The company responsible for laying the pipeline and the designated Competent Authority for handling objections. * **General Public in Assam:** The policy states "public interest," suggesting that at least one stakeholder is the general public of Assam. * **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** The governing body responsible for the notification and policy. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited is the primary implementing agency, responsible for laying the pipeline and handling objections. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas oversees the process. * **Timelines:** Landowners have 21 days from the date of the notification's publication to file objections. No other specific timelines are mentioned in the text. * **Procedures:** The notification outlines a procedure for landowners to object to the acquisition of the RoU. Further procedures regarding compensation or dispute resolution are not detailed in the text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact:** The likely intended outcome of this policy is the successful acquisition of the Right of User in the specified land, enabling Ms. Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited to lay the natural gas pipeline. This is expected to contribute to: * **Improved Natural Gas Infrastructure:** The pipeline will enhance the infrastructure for transporting natural gas in the region. * **Increased Natural Gas Availability:** The project will likely lead to increased availability of natural gas for consumers and industries in Assam. * **Economic Development:** Improved energy infrastructure can stimulate economic development by supporting industrial growth and providing access to cleaner energy sources. **9. Conclusion:** The notification analyzed represents a critical step in developing the natural gas pipeline infrastructure in Assam. It outlines the government's intention to acquire the Right of User in land for the Guwahati Numaligarh GNPL Section of the North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid Project. While the notification is limited in scope, it provides a clear framework for the acquisition process, including provisions for landowner objections. The successful implementation of this policy is essential for improving natural gas availability and supporting economic development in the region.

Key Entities Referenced