GAIL completes Kochi-Mangaluru pipeline

Kochi The much-delayed Kochi-Mangaluru pure gasoline pipeline undertaking is lastly prepared for commissioning as GAIL India has accomplished the ultimate 540-metre treacherous stretch throughout the Chandragiri river in northern Kerala, based on a senior firm official.

The 444-km-long pure gasoline pipeline was launched in 2009 at an estimated price of Rs 2,915 crore and was to be commissioned in 2014. But opposition on security and business grounds whereby the land worth was the primary hurdle has resulted within the undertaking price practically doubling to over ₹5,750 crore.

“We completed the most difficult stretch across the Chandragiri river in Kasaragod district on Saturday. Now the testing is on and this will be completed in the next two days. Within this week itself gas will reach Mangaluru through the 444-km pipeline,” P. Murugesan, government director and head of southern area, GAIL, stated on Monday.

The formal commissioning shall be carried out later, based on the provision of the Minister, he added.

Main junction

The pipeline is charged as much as Kannur now and has been dwell as much as Koottanad in Palakkad district, 90 km north of Kochi, since June 2019. Koottanad is the primary junction of the undertaking, as from right here the road bifurcates to Managaluru and Bengaluru.

The first part of the undertaking was commissioned in August 2013 within the Kochi metropolitan space with industrial provides and home provides from February 2016 by Adani Gas. With the commissioning of the pipeline, gasoline demand within the State will contact 80-90 million cubic metres every year from 60 million cubic metres now. Apart from big environmental good points, the State can achieve monetarily as it will possibly stand up to ₹1,000 crore by means of taxes alone.

Authorities have been prepared to finish the undertaking this August however a 540-metre stretch throughout the Chandragiri river turned a nightmare for them. So as a method out they lowered the diameter of the pipe to a fourth — from 24 inches to simply 6 inches now. Mr. Murugesan stated it is a short-term association and the work to put 24-inch pipe will resume quickly after the commissioning of the undertaking.

He stated the pipeline will provide gasoline to all seven districts it passes via Kerala — Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod — and the hilly Wayanad district.