Central Government Notifies Intention to Acquire Right of User for ONGC Pipelines in Gujarat

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a statutory notification on July 21, 2025, declaring the Central Government’s intention to acquire the right of user in various land parcels across the state of Gujarat. Published in the Gazette of India as S.O. 3357(E), the notification was formulated under the powers conferred by the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962. This legislative instrument facilitates the expansion of energy infrastructure by allowing the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) to lay essential pipelines for the transportation of crude oil, gas, and water. The notification specifically targets lands situated within the Anand and Vadodara districts to accommodate four distinct pipeline segments, including the Anklav29 to Anklav26, Anklav29 to Anklav13, Padra49 to Padra215, and P65 to P40 flow lines.

The legislation provided: “it is necessary in the public interest that for the transportation of Crude Oil/Gas/Water from Anklav29 TO Anklav26 (4 8Flow Pipeline), Anklav29 TO Anklav13 (4Flow Pipeline), Padra49 TO Padra215 (8Flow Pipeline) P65 TO P40 (8 FLOW Pipeline) should be laid by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd.”

Under the statutory framework of the 1962 Act, the acquisition of the right of user (a legal easement allowing the government or a corporation to lay and maintain pipelines under private or public land without transferring full ownership) is deemed a necessary precursor to the physical commencement of the project. The notification serves as a formal declaration of intent under Section 3(1) of the Act, effectively putting landholders on notice regarding the proposed subterranean infrastructure. The affected areas encompass several villages, including Valvod and Khedasa in the Borsad Taluka of Anand District, as well as Mahuvad, Pipli, and Ranu in the Padra Taluka of Vadodara District. The schedule annexed to the notification meticulously details the survey numbers, block numbers, and the precise area in hectares, ares, and square meters required for the project, including crossings through field channels, asphalted roads, and cart tracks.

The legislative intent behind this notification is rooted in the national policy of enhancing energy security and streamlining the midstream logistics of the petroleum sector. By utilizing the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines Act, the government addresses the statutory necessity of securing a continuous corridor for resource transportation while balancing the interests of landholders. The earlier legal position required a formal declaration to ensure transparency and provide a mechanism for grievance redressal. Consequently, the notification stipulates a mandatory enforcement timeline for public participation. Any person with an interest in the scheduled lands is permitted to submit written objections to the acquisition within twenty one days from the date the Gazette notification is made available to the general public. These objections must be directed to the Competent Authority (the designated official responsible for overseeing the acquisition process) at the ONGC Cambay Asset in Khambhat. This procedural safeguard ensures that the right of user is acquired only after considering the legitimate concerns of the affected parties, thereby fulfilling the statutory obligations of the 1962 enactment.

Keywords: ONGC, Land Acquisition, Right of User, Petroleum Pipelines Act 1962, Gujarat Infrastructure, Ministry of Petroleum, Energy Logistics, Statutory Notification

Geo Tags: India, Gujarat
District: Anand, Vadodara