Publication of Notification in the Extraordinary Gazette of India u/s 6(1) of the PMP Act, 1962 (50 of 1962) relating to land schedule in respect of Hassan Cherlapalli LPG Pipeline Project of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited for acquisition of ROU in the State of Karnataka Taluk Hiriyuru, District Chitradurga

## Policy Analysis Report: Acquisition of Right of User for Petroleum Pipeline in Karnataka **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas regarding the acquisition of the right of user (RoU) for land in Karnataka for the purpose of laying a petroleum product pipeline. The notification concerns the Hassan Karnataka to Cherlapalli Telangana Pipeline project by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). It declares the Central Government's acquisition of RoU and vests that right in HPCL, outlining the affected area in the Hiriyur Taluka of Chitradurga District, Karnataka. HPCL is liable for compensation, and legal proceedings against the Central Government are barred. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a notification published by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas concerning the acquisition of RoU for land required for a petroleum pipeline project. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a notification concerning the *acquisition* of rights, not an amendment to a pre-existing policy. * **Core Objective(s):** Based on the provided text, the core objective is to legally acquire the right of user for specific land parcels in Karnataka to facilitate the construction and operation of the Hassan Karnataka to Cherlapalli Telangana petroleum pipeline by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. This includes formalizing the acquisition process, transferring the right of user to HPCL, and clarifying liability for compensation. **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy action (acquisition), the notification addresses the need to secure the necessary land rights for the construction of the pipeline. The text indicates that previous notifications (S.O. No. 3943 E dated the 25th October, 2019 and S.O. No. 5198 E dated the 14th December, 2021) declared the intention to acquire this right. This notification is the next step, solidifying the legal acquisition of the RoU. The pipeline is required for the transportation of petroleum products between Hassan, Karnataka, and Cherlapalli, Telangana, suggesting a strategic infrastructure development initiative. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is a notification of *acquisition*, and therefore, a description of the policy is as follows: * **Acquisition of Right of User:** The Central Government declares the acquisition of RoU in the land specified in the Schedule appended to the notification. This is a legal transfer of specific usage rights. * **Vesting of Rights:** The RoU is vested in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) from the date of publication, free from all encumbrances. This means HPCL has the right to use the land for the pipeline project. * **Compensation Liability:** Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited is exclusively liable for any compensation as per Section 10 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962 (PMP Act, 1962). * **Legal Protection:** The notification states that no suit or other legal proceeding will lie against the Central Government, Competent Authority, or any State Government or Corporation for any matter relating to the pipeline, according to Section 13 of the PMP Act, 1962. * **Land Specification:** The notification includes a schedule detailing the specific land parcels affected, including the village, survey number, and area (in acres and guntas) within the Hiriyur Taluka, Chitradurga District, Karnataka. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** Based on the text, the following are the primary stakeholders: * **Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL):** As the entity responsible for the pipeline project and the recipient of the RoU, HPCL is a key stakeholder. * **Landowners in Hiriyur Taluka, Chitradurga District, Karnataka:** Specifically, the owners of the land parcels listed in the Schedule (Kurubarahalli, Kodihalli, Halagaladdi, Khandenahalli). These individuals are directly affected by the RoU acquisition. * **Central Government (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas):** Responsible for the overall policy and legal framework. * **State Government of Karnataka:** Involved in the land acquisition process. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the responsible agency for issuing the notification. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is responsible for implementing the pipeline project and providing compensation. * **Procedure:** The notification is a culmination of a process that includes: * Initial notification of intention to acquire (S.O. No. 3943 E and S.O. No. 5198 E). * Public availability of the notification. * Report submission by the competent authority (subsection 1 of section 6 of the said Act). * Central Government review and decision to acquire. * **Timelines:** The notification takes effect upon publication in the Gazette of India (November 15, 2022). The text references previous notifications from 2019 and 2021, suggesting a multi-year process. * The vesting of rights in HPCL is effective "on the date of publication of the declaration". **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this notification is to facilitate the construction of the Hassan Karnataka to Cherlapalli Telangana pipeline by providing HPCL with the necessary rights to use the specified land. This will likely contribute to: * Improved transportation infrastructure for petroleum products in the region. * Increased efficiency in the supply chain. * Economic development in the areas served by the pipeline. * Completion of the petroleum pipeline project from Hassan to Cherlapalli. **9. Conclusion:** The notification analyzed in this report is a crucial step in acquiring the RoU for land required for the Hassan Karnataka to Cherlapalli Telangana petroleum pipeline project. It legally transfers the RoU to HPCL, establishes compensation liability, and provides legal protection to the government and related entities. This action is essential for the successful implementation of this infrastructure project and the achievement of its intended benefits.

Key Entities Referenced