Date: 2026-05-18Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Publication of notification in the Extraordinary Gazette of India under Section 3(1) of the P and MP (ARUL) Act 1962 regarding declaration of intention to acquire the Right of User in Land for Last Mile Connectivity (LMC)
**Executive Summary**
This notification, issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on May 13, 2026, declares the Government of India's intention to acquire the "Right of User" in specific lands in Odisha for a natural gas pipeline project. Executed by GAIL (India) Limited, the pipeline is designed to provide last-mile connectivity to JSW-Utkal Steel Ltd (JUSL) in Paradeep. Affected parties must submit any written objections to the Competent Authority in Bhubaneswar within 21 days of the notification's publication.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Purpose and Authority**
* The acquisition is initiated under Section 3(1) of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962.
* The project is deemed necessary in the public interest for the transportation of natural gas to the JSW-Utkal Steel Ltd (JUSL) facility in Paradeep, Odisha.
* GAIL (India) Limited is the authorized entity responsible for laying the pipeline.
* **Land Acquisition Scope**
* The document specifies the acquisition of the "Right of User" (RoU) for the land, rather than full ownership, specifically for the purpose of laying sub-surface pipelines.
* The notification applies to land located within the Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha.
* **Affected Geographical Areas**
* **Kujang Tehsil:** Impacts lands in the villages of Bagadia, Khasulidia, Fatepur, and Pratappur.
* **Ersama Tehsil:** Impacts lands in the villages of Badakantakandha, Kankaradia, Firikichhitakandha, and Dhinkia.
* The document includes an extensive "Schedule" detailing specific survey numbers and the precise area measurements (in hectares, Ares, and square meters) for each affected plot.
* **Objection Protocol**
* Any person with an interest in the lands listed in the schedule has the right to object to the pipeline project.
* Objections must be submitted in writing to the Competent Authority, Odisha, GAIL (India) Limited, located at 612 Utkal Signature, Pahal, NH-5, Bhubaneswar – 751032.
* The statutory deadline for filing objections is 21 days from the date the notification is made available to the general public.
**Impact Analysis**
**Landowners and Persons Interested in the Scheduled Land**
**Impact**
These individuals will have the "Right of User" of their land acquired by the government for sub-surface pipeline laying. While they may retain ownership, the usage of the land will be restricted by the presence of the pipeline infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Review the survey numbers in the provided schedule to confirm if their property is affected. If they have grievances, they must submit a written objection to the Competent Authority in Bhubaneswar within the 21-day window.
**GAIL (India) Limited**
**Impact**
As the executing agency, GAIL is authorized to proceed with the legal process of land acquisition and subsequent pipeline construction. They are responsible for managing the objection process via the Competent Authority.
**Action Required**
Ensure copies of the notification are available to the general public and process any received objections in accordance with the 1962 Act.
**JSW-Utkal Steel Ltd (JUSL)**
**Impact**
Identified as the primary beneficiary of the project, JUSL will receive natural gas through the proposed last-mile connectivity pipeline at their Paradeep site.
**Action Required**
No specific action is required from this stakeholder under the current notification.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962: The primary legal framework under which the government declares its intention to acquire the right of user in land for pipeline construction.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The central government ministry responsible for issuing this notification and overseeing the natural gas infrastructure project.
GAIL (India) Limited: The implementing agency authorized to lay the natural gas pipeline for transportation purposes.
JSW-Utkal Steel Ltd. (JUSL): The industrial beneficiary in Paradeep for whom the 'Last Mile Connectivity' natural gas pipeline is being established.
Jagatsinghpur, Odisha: The specific district and state where the land acquisition and the pipeline project are localized.