"ONGC’s New Safety Rule Puts 300+ Hectares of Ahmedabad’s Real Estate on Hold"

In the heart of Ahmedabad’s bustling real estate scene, a sudden announcement has pressed pause on projects sprawling across more than 300 hectares of prime urban land. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) newly enforced margin safety rule has disrupted dozens of ongoing and planned developments, leaving developers, landowners, and investors scrambling.

But what exactly happened?

The Rule That Changed Everything

ONGC operates an extensive network of underground pipelines and wells across Gujarat. These pipelines, transporting crucial energy resources, run silently beneath major parts of Ahmedabad—crossing areas like Thaltej, Bodakdev, Ghatlodia, Jodhpur, Vejalpur, Santanpur, and Fatehwadi.

Until recently, ONGC’s rules on construction near these assets were manageable. Builders and landowners had clear guidelines and had planned projects accordingly. However, the recent revision in ONGC’s safety margin regulations has introduced a new mandate:

✅ A minimum 90-meter clear zone must be maintained around ONGC wells,
✅ Pipelines now require a safety buffer ranging from 12 to 36 meters, depending on their type and pressure level.

This means that any form of construction, even temporary structures, cannot be established within these new margins—regardless of previous permissions or investments.

Impact: Over 300 Hectares in Limbo

For context, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) had already received multiple large-scale project proposals within these newly restricted zones:

1. Ghatlodia to Santanpur corridor – a rapidly developing stretch
2. Bodakdev, Jodhpur, Thaltej, Vejalpur, Fatehwadi – key residential and mixed-use areas
3. Nikol, Vastral, Vatva – critical industrial and urban zones

With the new rules in place, many of these proposals are now ineligible for approval. Developers who were mid-way through planning or construction have been forced to suspend activity, reassess land usability, and potentially absorb financial losses.

Why the Change?

ONGC clarified that the new margin rule aims to ensure:

1. Operational Safety: Preventing accidents, leakages, and hazards from occurring near critical energy infrastructure.

2. Public Safety: Protecting residents, workers, and assets near high-pressure pipelines and wells.

3. Infrastructure Longevity: Allowing unimpeded access to pipelines for repairs and upgrades without endangering surrounding developments.

The Bigger Picture: Balancing Growth with Safety

This isn’t the first instance of infrastructure-related restrictions influencing urban growth. However, Ahmedabad’s case is particularly sensitive:

• The city is witnessing an unprecedented real estate boom.

• Many affected lands had already been rezoned or approved for development.

• The sudden implementation of stricter margins caught many stakeholders off guard.

Urban planners now face the challenge of re-strategizing land use around these safety corridors, while developers seek clarity and possible relaxation for partially approved projects.

What Lies Ahead?

Negotiations are underway between AUDA, ONGC, and local governing bodies to explore:

• Possible compensatory mechanisms for impacted landowners.

• Zoning adjustments to reclassify restricted land for non-construction uses like parks, green belts, and open spaces.

• Transitional guidelines to protect ongoing projects from abrupt halts.

Meanwhile, developers remain in limbo, awaiting definitive directives.

In Conclusion

The ONGC margin rule underscores a growing tension in India’s urbanization narrative:
How do we expand cities without compromising essential infrastructure and safety?

As Ahmedabad navigates this complex crossroad, the situation serves as a crucial reminder for urban planners nationwide: future development must seamlessly integrate with the invisible but indispensable networks powering our cities.