**Report on Amendment to Petroleum and Natural Gas Policy Regarding Right of User Acquisition for Pipelines in Tripura**
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to an existing policy of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas concerning the acquisition of the Right of User (RoU) for laying pipelines for natural gas transportation in Tripura, India. The core purpose of this amendment, based on the provided text, is to acquire additional land for the pipeline project. The key finding is that the amendment focuses on expanding the land area under RoU in specific Mouzas (villages) within West Tripura district and details specific land plots affected.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of an amendment to a petroleum and natural gas policy concerning the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for pipeline construction in Tripura. The analysis is based solely on the provided official government gazette notification text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This document represents an *amendment* to an existing policy, specifically referencing notification S.O. 2747(E) dated 06.07.2021, initially published in the Gazette of India on 09.07.2021.
* **Core Objective(s):** The overarching objective, inferred from the text, is to facilitate the laying of pipelines for the transportation of natural gas. The amendment's specific objective is to acquire additional land to support this infrastructure project.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment addresses the need for *additional* land beyond what was initially specified in the original notification. The text indicates that *after* the initial policy notification, it was determined that more land was required in specific areas to complete the pipeline project, necessitating this amendment. The mention of "Publication us 61 of PMP Act 1962" suggests this additional land acquisition is compliant with existing legal frameworks.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The amendment's core provision lies in the *expansion* of the land area under RoU.
* **Original Policy Part Changed:** The amendment supplements the *Schedule* of land initially identified in the original notification. It adds more plots to the list of acquired lands for the pipeline project.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment introduces schedules of additional land to be acquired for the RoU. These schedules detail the specific *Khatian No.* (land record number), *Plot No.*, *Class of Land* (primarily "Nal", also including "Tilla", "Sarak", "Pukur par Nal", "Nadi", "Nala", "Karkhana Tilla"), and *Area in Acre* for each additional plot acquired within the specified Mouzas. Three Mouzas are specified with their respective land details: Debendra Chandra Nagar, Radha Kishor Nagar, and Indra Nagar.
* **Difference/Effect of Change:** The amendment expands the project's footprint by acquiring additional land parcels. This expansion likely allows for adjustments to the pipeline route, accommodates unforeseen construction requirements, or addresses potential future capacity needs.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are:
* **Landowners:** Individuals or entities owning the land parcels listed in the additional schedules for the mentioned Mouzas within West Tripura.
* **ONGC Limited:** As the entity responsible for laying the pipeline, ONGC benefits directly from the acquisition of the RoU.
* **Residents/Communities:** In the vicinities of the affected land due to the potential disturbance or other impact of the pipeline construction.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:**
* **Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:** Responsible for issuing the notification and overall policy direction.
* **ONGC Limited:** Responsible for laying the pipeline and likely coordinating with relevant authorities for land acquisition.
* **Competent Authority:** Mentioned as having submitted a report to the Central Government, suggesting a role in assessing the land requirements and facilitating the acquisition process.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** While the text doesn't explicitly define timelines, the gazette notification serves as the official declaration, vesting the RoU in ONGC Limited upon publication. The process likely involves further notifications to landowners, valuation of land, and compensation disbursement, which are not detailed in this document.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of this amendment is to secure the necessary land resources for the successful completion of the natural gas pipeline project. This will allow ONGC to transport natural gas. The impact of the change is on landowners, requiring them to relinquish rights to the land while receiving compensation.
**9. Conclusion:**
This amendment to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry's policy demonstrates the government's commitment to facilitating natural gas infrastructure development in Tripura. By expanding the RoU to include additional land, the amendment aims to overcome unforeseen land requirements and ensure the efficient construction of the pipeline by ONGC Limited. Stakeholders, particularly landowners, should be aware of the specific land parcels affected and the associated processes for compensation and land transfer.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Acquisition of Right of Users in Land Acts, 1962: A legal act pertaining to the acquisition of land rights for petroleum and mineral pipelines.
Tripura: A state in India where the pipeline laying is planned.
ONGC Limited: The company responsible for laying the pipeline for transportation of natural gas.
Well No. KU10: Starting point of the pipeline.
Kunjaban Manifold: Ending point of the pipeline.
Debendra Chandra Nagar: Area in West Tripura district through which pipeline will be laid.
West Tripura: A district in Tripura.
Mohanpur: A Sub Division in Tripura
Radha Kishor Nagar: Area in West Tripura district through which pipeline will be laid.
Kheyerpur: A Tehsil in Tripura.
Jirania: A Sub Division in Tripura
Indra Nagar: Area in West Tripura district through which pipeline will be laid.
Sadar: A Sub Division in Tripura
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The Indian government ministry responsible for petroleum and natural gas.