Commissioning of Kochi-M’luru pipeline delayed again

The long-awaited commissioning of Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline is likely to be delayed once again.

Initially, it was planned to commission the pipeline by August end. However the restrictions imposed on those entering Kasargod, following Covid-19 scare, has posed a major hurdle for the commissioning of the project.

On the other hand, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to lay the pipelines underwater is struck at River Chandragiri in Kasargod.

Now, a heavy duty pulling machine had been deployed at the site at Chandragiri and the work is on progress, sources told DH.

“Getting an online pass to daily commute between Kasargod and Mangaluru has become a herculean task. The mandatory Covid test every week is further aggravating the situation. It is posing a hurdle for GAIL’s project. More than 40 to 50 officers and staff of GAIL (India) Limited have to commute daily between Kasargod and Mangaluru for the commissioning of project and operate the project on a daily basis,” highly placed sources told DH. 

The issue has already been drawn to the notice of Union Minister for Chemical and Fertilisers D V Sadananda Gowda.

Sources said heavy rain in the region for the past five to six days too had affected the work.

The authorities were planning to get LNG via tanker and commission a 60-km pipeline at Ichalampady in Kasargod and later complete the work on HDD at River Chandragiri.

The GAIL is also looking into the possibility of getting LNG tanks and commissioning gas supply from the receiving station at MCF.

“The GAIL staff had applied for a six-month pass to travel to Kasargod. However, it was denied and issued 28-day pass,” sources added.      

It may be recalled that LNG terminal of Petronet LNG was commissioned in Kochi six years ago. GAIL (India) Ltd was entrusted with the responsibility of laying the pipeline from Kochi to Mangaluru.

The pipeline is designed to transport 16 million cubic metres (MCM) of LNG with Kochi’s demand for 5 MCM and Mangaluru industries assured demand for 4 MCM.

Already, the work on laying the pipeline at Malavoor, Adyapadi, Kandavara, Mulooru, Addooru, Malluru, Arkula, Pavoor, Kenjar, Thokooru in Mangaluru taluk, Meramajalu, Ammunje, Pajeer, Kairangala, Balepunti and Kunrand villages has been completed.

https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/kochi-mluru-gas-pipeline-delayed-again-due-to-technical-issue