Whereas by notification of Government of India in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

## Report on Acquisition of Right of User for Barauni Guwahati Pipeline Project **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 the Barauni Guwahati Pipeline (BGPL) project in Assam. The notification declares the acquisition of RoU for laying the pipeline and directs that this right vests in GAIL India Limited. The key finding is the formal acquisition of land rights for the project's progression, indicating a significant step towards infrastructure development for natural gas transportation. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a government notification pertaining to the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) for land required for the Barauni Guwahati Pipeline (BGPL) project. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new policy* directly related to the execution of the Barauni Guwahati Pipeline project. * **Core Objective:** The primary objective, as inferred from the text, is to acquire the Right of User in specific land parcels for the purpose of laying a natural gas pipeline, a component of the larger Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) project. **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy pertaining to land acquisition for a specific pipeline project, the rationale is driven by the need to establish infrastructure for natural gas transportation. The text implies that the project is part of a larger initiative (JHBDPL) aimed at improving natural gas supply and distribution. The notification follows due process, referencing prior notification of intent, consideration of public objections, and a report from the Competent Authority. This suggests that the policy addresses the need to facilitate the construction of the BGPL by legally securing the required land rights. **5. Key Provisions:** This policy establishes the following: * **Acquisition of Right of User:** The core provision is the declaration that the Right of User is acquired for the land specified in the schedule appended to the notification. * **Transfer of Rights to GAIL:** The notification directs that the RoU vests in GAIL India Limited, rather than the Government of India, effective from the date of the notification's publication. This transfer is "free from all encumbrances." * **Project Context:** The notification explicitly states that the pipeline is for the transportation of natural gas through the Barauni Guwahati Natural Gas Pipeline (BGPL) as an integral part of the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL). * **Legal Basis:** The policy is enacted under subsection 1 of Section 6 of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. * **Area Specification:** The schedule details specific land parcels being acquired, including the State (Assam), District (Kamrup), Circle (Rangiya Pub Borigog), Mouza (Dobok), Village (No. 2), Survey Numbers, and area in hectares, ares, and square meters. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary stakeholders directly affected by this policy are: * **GAIL India Limited:** As the entity in which the RoU is vested, GAIL is responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the pipeline. * **Landowners in Assam (Kamrup District):** The policy directly affects landowners whose land falls within the specified survey numbers, as their right to use is acquired for the pipeline. * **The Public in Assam:** Indirectly, the broader public in Assam benefits from the expansion of natural gas infrastructure. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is the issuing authority. GAIL India Limited is responsible for implementing the project, including pipeline construction and operation. The "Competent Authority" is mentioned as having considered objections and submitted a report, suggesting its role in land acquisition and dispute resolution. * **Timelines/Procedures:** The text indicates that the process involved prior notification (S.O. No. 4724 E dated 22.12.2020), consideration of public objections, and a report by the Competent Authority. The effective date is the date of publication of the notification. Further timelines for construction are not specified in the text. * The legal framework will be based on The Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Acquisition of Right of User in Land Act, 1962 **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of this policy is to facilitate the timely construction of the Barauni Guwahati Pipeline. The impact includes: * **Infrastructure Development:** Advancement of natural gas infrastructure in Assam. * **Energy Access:** Potential for increased access to natural gas for industrial, commercial, and residential consumers. * **Economic Growth:** Support for economic activities reliant on natural gas as a fuel source. * **Legal Clarity:** Clear legal framework for GAIL to proceed with the pipeline construction on the acquired land. **9. Conclusion:** The notification represents a crucial step in the development of the Barauni Guwahati Pipeline project. By formally acquiring the Right of User in the specified land and vesting it in GAIL India Limited, the policy enables the project to progress, contributing to the expansion of natural gas infrastructure and potentially fostering economic growth in the region. The notification underscores the government's commitment to developing gas pipeline infrastructure, as evidenced by its connection to the larger Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas Pipeline project.

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