law: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
  20. Declaring,
  
  laying, building, etc., of common carrier or contract carrier and city or local
  
  natural gas distribution network.-
  1.  If
  
  the Board is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient, to declare an
  
  existing pipeline for transportation of petroleum, petroleum products and
  
  natural gas or an existing city or local natural gas distribution network, as a
  
  common carrier or contract carrier or to regulate or allow access to such
  
  pipeline or network, it may give wide publicity of its intention to do so and
  
  invite objections and suggestions within a specified time from all persons and
  
  entities likely to be affected by such decision.
  2.  For
  
  the purposes of sub-section (1), the Board shall provide the entity owning, the
  
  pipeline or network an opportunity of being heard and fix the terms and
  
  conditions subject to which the pipeline or network may be declared as a common
  
  carrier or contract carrier and pass such orders as it deems fit having regard
  
  to the public interest, competitive transportation rates and right of first
  
  use.
  3.  The
  
  Board may, after following the procedure as specified by regulations under
  
  section 19 and sub-sections (1) and (2), by notification,-
  a.   declare a pipeline or
  
  city or local natural gas distribution network as a common carrier or contract
  
  carrier; or
  b.   authorise an entity
  
  to lay, build, operate or expand a pipeline as a common carrier or contract
  
  carrier; or
  c.   allow access to
  
  common carrier or contract carrier or city or local natural gas distribution
  
  network; or
  d.   authorise an entity
  
  to lay, build, operate or expand a city or local natural gas distribution
  
  network.
  1.  
  2.  
  3.  
  4.    The
  
  Board may decide on the period of exclusivity to lay, build, operate or expand
  
  a city or local natural gas distribution network for such number of years as it
  
  may by order, determine in accordance with the principles laid down by the
  
  regulations made by it, in a transparent manner while fully protecting the
  
  consumer interests.
  5.  For
  
  the purposes of this section, the Board shall be guided by the objectives of
  
  promoting competition among entities, avoiding infructuous investment,
  
  maintaining or increasing supplies or for securing equitable distribution or
  
  ensuring adequate availability of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas
  
  throughout the country and follow such principles as the Board may, by
  
  regulations, determine in carrying out its functions under this section.