## Policy Analysis Report: Acquisition of Right of User for Guwahati-Numaligarh Gas Pipeline
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, regarding the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) in land for the laying of a natural gas pipeline. This notification declares the acquisition of RoU for the Guwahati-Numaligarh Gas Pipeline in the state of Assam by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL). The core purpose is to facilitate the transportation of natural gas through the specified pipeline by granting RoU to IGGL, free from encumbrances. The key finding is the declaration of RoU acquisition and its vesting in IGGL for the designated land parcels.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview and analysis of a Government of India notification pertaining to the acquisition of Right of User (RoU) for the Guwahati-Numaligarh Gas Pipeline project. This analysis is based solely on the provided policy text and aims to inform affected industry about the relevant provisions and potential implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Amendment:** This notification appears to be *related to* an original policy enacted under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, specifically referencing S.O.No.1572(E) dated 04.04.2019. This report analyses the subsequent notification related to that existing policy.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the provided text, is to facilitate the construction and operation of the Guwahati-Numaligarh Gas Pipeline by legally acquiring the Right of User for the necessary land, enabling the transportation of natural gas by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL).
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The text suggests that objections were received from the public and were considered and disposed of by the Competent Authority. The Competent Authority then submitted its report to the Government of India, which, after consideration, decided that the land is required for laying the pipeline. This implies a process of public consultation and due diligence before the RoU acquisition was finalized.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This notification details the declaration of the Right of User being acquired. Key provisions include:
* **Declaration of RoU Acquisition:** The Government of India declares that the Right of User in the land specified in the attached schedule is acquired for laying the pipeline.
* **Vesting of RoU:** The Right of User in the land for laying the pipeline will vest in Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), instead of the Government of India.
* **Encumbrance-Free Transfer:** The RoU is transferred to IGGL "free from all encumbrances."
* **Land Specification:** A detailed schedule is included, specifying the district (Golaghat), state (Assam), circle, mouza, village, dag numbers, and area (in hectare, are, and square meters) of the land parcels affected by the RoU acquisition.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this policy include:
* **Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL):** The company responsible for laying and operating the pipeline. They are the recipient of the Right of User.
* **Landowners in Golaghat District, Assam:** The individuals or entities who own the land parcels listed in the schedule. Their rights to use the land are now subject to the Right of User granted to IGGL.
* **Residents of Villages:** Gariya Gaon, Bilatiya Gaon, Dihingiya Gaon, Bargaria Gaon, Bargaria Chapari Gaon, Rajabari Bagan, Oguri Chapari Gaon, Kanfala Milchapari, Opar Temera Gaon, 1 No Pathari Miri Gaon, Rangagarh Chapari, Marangiyal Daityal Gaon, Nam Temera Gaon, Kamar Gaon, Choukanabil, Shital Pathar Habi, Negheriyal Koibartta Gaon, Bilatiya Koibartta Gaon, Dhemaji Koibartta Gaon, Gighali Pam Gaon, Uttar Dalijaliya Gaon, Kachari Pam, Hanh Chonwakoibartta Gaon, Kobal Pam, Karaiyani Bhakat Gaon, Pulikaraiyani Gaon affected by the pipeline.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Competent Authority (mentioned in the text), and Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) are the key bodies involved.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification is effective from the date of publication (January 22, 2021), immediately vesting the RoU in IGGL. The process involved consideration and disposal of objections, submission of a report by the Competent Authority, and a decision by the Government of India.
* **Amendment-Specific Implementation:** The implementation of this declaration primarily involves the legal transfer of RoU to IGGL and the subsequent exercise of those rights for pipeline construction, subject to the conditions outlined in the original Act.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of this policy is to expedite the construction of the Guwahati-Numaligarh Gas Pipeline by resolving land access issues. The acquisition of Right of User, free from encumbrances, allows IGGL to proceed with the project. This will likely contribute to improved natural gas infrastructure, potentially benefiting both the company and the region by providing reliable energy transport.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification signifies a critical step in the development of the Guwahati-Numaligarh Gas Pipeline. By legally acquiring the Right of User and vesting it in Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), the government aims to ensure the timely completion of this important infrastructure project, potentially leading to economic and energy benefits for the region. Landowners should be aware of this RoU acquisition and its implications for their land use.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Acquisition of Right of User in Land Act, 1962: A law under which the notification regarding land acquisition for pipeline laying is issued.
GuwahatiNumaligarh Gas Pipeline: The pipeline project for which the right of user in the land is being acquired.
Assam: State in India where the pipeline is being laid.
Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited IGGL: The company responsible for laying the GuwahatiNumaligarh Gas Pipeline and in which the right of user in the land will vest.
Golaghat: District in Assam where land is being acquired for the pipeline.
Bokakhat: Circle in Golaghat district, Assam, where land is being acquired.
Mahura: Mouza under Bokakhat Circle in Golaghat district, Assam.
Gariya Gaon: Village under Mahura Mouza, Bokakhat Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Bilatiya Gaon: Village under Mahura Mouza, Bokakhat Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Dihingiya Gaon: Village under Mahura Mouza, Bokakhat Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Morongi: Circle in Golaghat district, Assam, where land is being acquired.
Morangi: Mouza under Morongi Circle in Golaghat district, Assam.
Bargaria Gaon: Village under Morangi Mouza, Morongi Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Bargaria Chapari Gaon: Village under Morangi Mouza, Morongi Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Rajabari Bagan: Village under Morangi Mouza, Morongi Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Oguri Chapari Gaon: Village under Morangi Mouza, Morongi Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Khumtai: Circle in Golaghat district, Assam, where land is being acquired.
Rangamati: Mouza under Khumtai Circle in Golaghat district, Assam.
Kanfala Milchapari: Village under Rangamati Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Opar Temera Gaon: Village under Rangamati Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
1 No Pathari Miri Gaon: Village under Rangamati Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Rangagarh Chapari: Village under Rangamati Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Marangiyal Daityal Gaon: Village under Rangamati Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Nam Temera Gaon: Village under Rangamati Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Kamar Gaon: Village under Khumtai Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Choukanabil: Village under Khumtai Mouza, Khumtai Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Dergaon: Circle in Golaghat district, Assam, where land is being acquired.
Shital Pathar Habi: Village under Dergaon Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Negheriyal Koibartta Gaon: Village under Dergaon Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Bilatiya Koibartta Gaon: Village under Dergaon Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Dhemaji Koibartta Gaon: Village under Dergaon Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Gighali Pam Gaon: Village under Dergaon Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Misamara: Mouza under Dergaon Circle in Golaghat district, Assam.
Uttar Dalijaliya Gaon: Village under Misamara Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Kachari Pam: Village under Misamara Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Hanh Chonwakoibartta Gaon: Village under Misamara Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Kobal Pam: Village under Misamara Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Karaiyani Bhakat Gaon: Village under Misamara Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.
Pulikaraiyani Gaon: Village under Misamara Mouza, Dergaon Circle, Golaghat district, Assam.