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Kochi: Giving an impetus to the use of green and cost-effective natural gas in Kerala and Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline of GAIL (India) Ltd to the nation on Tuesday.
The project worth Rs 3,000 crore will ensure convenient and uninterrupted supply of affordable fuel in the form of piped natural gas to households, commercial units and compressed natural gas for transportation sector across 10 districts in different geographical areas. This 450km-long pipeline, having a transportation capacity of 12 million metric standard cubic metre per day, will carry natural gas from the liquefied natural gas regasification terminal in Kochi. The pipeline links Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod in Kerala to Mangaluru in Karnataka.
The pipeline will offer clean, industrial fuel and feedstock to petrochemical, power and fertilizer sectors while providing an opportunity for multiple gas-based industries to emerge and bring socio-economic benefits to the people.This will create direct and indirect job opportunities, said GAIL director (business development) MV Iyer on Saturday.
The project created over 12 lakh man-days of employment during construction, he added. “Considering the difficulties encountered and after amicably overcoming public resistance, project construction was ramped up in 2016 and the entire pipeline could be commissioned.
The pipeline is a landmark example of close coordination between Government of Kerala – which brought in several legislative and administrative changes to facilitate faster execution of construction work – and Government of Karnataka that played a key supportive role.
Prime Minister’s Office monitored progress and provided necessary guidance in making this pipeline a reality,” Iyer said, adding that laying a cross-country natural gas pipeline in an urbanized, densely populated state like Kerala was an engineering challenge. The 414km stretch in Kerala passes through rivers, streams, fish ponds and even wetlands and this necessitated the use of a special technique called horizontal directional drilling method at over 100 locations.
Petroleum and natural gas regulatory board (PNGRB) has awarded implementation of city gas projects in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod. The joint venture firm selected for project implementation in these districts will start works soon. PNGRB had already awarded city gas project in Ernakulam to Indian Oil Adani Gas Private Ltd.
TOI