Date: 2026-05-06Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Publication of Notification in the Extraordinary Gazette of India under Section 6(1) of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline (ARUL) Act 1962 regarding declaration of acquisition of the Right of User in Land for Hazaribagh Rachi Pipeline (HRPL)
**Executive Summary**
This notification, issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on May 4, 2026, declares the acquisition of the Right of User (RoU) for land in Jharkhand required for the Hazaribagh–Ranchi Natural Gas Pipeline. Under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962, the RoU now vests in Indian Oil Corporation Limited, which is exclusively responsible for compensation. This declaration follows the completion of the objection and reporting period established by prior notifications in 2024 and 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Legal Declarations and Provisions**
* **Acquisition of Rights:** The Central Government has officially acquired the "Right of User" for specific lands in Jharkhand under Section 6(1) of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962.
* **Vesting of Rights:** Per Section 6(4) of the Act, the Right of User vests entirely in Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) free from all encumbrances, effective from the date of publication of this notification.
* **Liability and Indemnity:** IOCL is solely liable for compensation under Section 10 of the Act. No legal proceedings or suits regarding pipeline matters may be brought against the Central Government.
**Project Details and Scope**
* **Purpose:** The land is acquired for laying pipelines for the transportation of natural gas through the Hazaribagh – Ranchi Natural Gas Pipeline project.
* **Geographic Coverage:** The acquisition involves various survey and plot numbers across the following areas in Jharkhand:
* **District Hazaribagh:** Block Dadi (covering Maujas Kura, Rikwa, and Khapia).
* **District Ramgarh:** Block Patratu (covering Maujas Pochra and Chhotkakana) and Block Dulmi (covering Maujas Godatu and Bogai).
**Land Schedule Specifications**
* The document provides a detailed schedule listing the specific survey/plot numbers and the exact area (in hectares, ares, and square meters) being acquired in each Mauja.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)**
**Impact**
IOCL is granted the legal right to use the specified land for natural gas pipeline infrastructure. The company becomes the primary entity responsible for the project's implementation in the designated zones.
**Action Required**
IOCL must manage the pipeline laying process and fulfill all financial obligations regarding compensation to affected parties as per Section 10 of the P&MP Act, 1962.
**Landowners and Occupants (in specified Maujas of Hazaribagh and Ramgarh)**
**Impact**
The Right of User for their land is now legally transferred to IOCL. While they may retain ownership, their usage of the land is subject to the restrictions and requirements of the natural gas pipeline project.
**Action Required**
Affected landowners must allow access for pipeline construction and should coordinate with IOCL for the receipt of entitled compensation.
**Central Government (Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas)**
**Impact**
The Government has fulfilled its regulatory role in the acquisition process and is legally shielded from future suits or claims related to the pipeline.
**Action Required**
No further action is required following the publication of this final declaration of acquisition.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962: The primary legal framework under which the central government acquires the right of user in land for laying pipelines and transportation of natural gas.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited: The entity in which the right of user in the acquired land vests and which is exclusively liable for any compensation related to the pipeline project.
Hazaribagh – Ranchi Natural Gas Pipeline: The specific infrastructure project involving the transportation of natural gas through the state of Jharkhand for which land user rights are being acquired.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The primary governing ministry responsible for issuing the notification and overseeing the acquisition of right of user for petroleum projects.
Jharkhand: The Indian state where the project is localized, specifically covering areas within the districts of Hazaribagh and Ramgarh.