Regeneration from Dabhol Power Project may be delayed

Mumbai, Mar 28 (UNI) Regeneration from Ratnagiri Power Project Ltd, the controversial Dabhol Power Project may be further delayed, as the Bombay High Court today directed the Union government to reconsider a right of user notification with respect to work of pipeline being laid down to carry gas for the project.

The direction came in response to a petition filed by a landowner, Ashok Bhatija, challenging right of user acquisition with respect to his family farmland in Khalapur tehsil.

The petitioner said though the Competent Authority established under Petroleum Minerals Pipelines Act, 1962, under which the right of user has been acquired by the Union government, initially accepted his objections and directed Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) to consider alternatives suggested by him, the latter failed to act and finally the competent authority also rejected the objections and suggestions.

While the petition was pending before the court, Central government have issued final notification with respect to the petitioner's land.

A division bench of Justice F I Rebello and Justice R M Sawant today directed the government to inform the court by April four, whether it was willing to reconsider the notification and remand the matter back to the competent authority.

GAIL as well as the Central government pointed out that, considering power shortage in the State, regeneration from the Dabhol Power Project was very crucial and any delay may even lead to collapsing of Western Power Grid. The court, hoever, brushed aside the government's anticipation and made it clear that such a notification cannot be allowed to sustain. The scenario will become clear on April four, when the petition is scheduled to come up for further hearing.

GAIL, a public sector undertaking has been entrusted with the work of laying down pipeline carrying re-gasified LNG from Dahej, in Gujarat to the project site at Dabhol. The 772 Km pipeline, would cost more than Rs 3157 crore.

UNI