Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline to be commissioned soon
Koottanad-Walayar natural gas pipeline which is part of the Bengaluru line will be commissioned by January next year. When the entire pipeline is commissioned, the government will get Rs 1000 crore as tax revenue every year
Thrissur / Kasaragod: The Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has been complete. Natural gas will be supplied through the pipeline from this week onwards completing the commissioning of the project. The setting up of pipeline across Chandragiri river in Kasaragod was hindered for two months. With this, the 24-inch pipe was temporarily replaced with 6-inch pipes to complete the project by Saturday night. The works to connect this pipe with the line on both sides of the river will commence on Monday. The 90-kilometre pipeline from Kochi to Koottanad in Palakkad via Thrissur was commissioned in June 2019. The main junction is at Koottanad. The 354-km Mangaluru pipeline and the 525-km Bengaluru pipeline start from this point. Koottanad-Walayar natural gas pipeline which is part of the Bengaluru line will be commissioned by January next year. When the entire pipeline is commissioned, the government will get Rs 1000 crore as tax revenue every year. Tunnel across Chandragiri Earlier, it was planned to set up the 24-inch pipe through a tunnel across the Chandragiri river. However, the idea did not work as the pipe got stuck in the middle on August 3. With this, the authorities decided to temporarily replace the pipe with a 6-inch pipe. After the project is commissioned, this pipe will be taken back and the large pipe will be set up through the tunnel, the authorities made it clear. City gas Tap-off facility has been arranged at different places for city gas distribution from the GAIL pipeline. City gas supply had started in 2016 itself from Kochi Kalamassery tapoff. City gas tap-off is set up at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur, Malampuzha in Palakkad, Narukara in Malappuram, Unnikkulam in Kozhikode, Koodali in Kannur, Ambalathara in Kasaragod. The companies which have permission will supply natural gas to houses, institutions and petrol pumps through pipeline. Package stations in south districts Natural gas pipeline will not be set up in southern districts. Instead, LNG package stations will be set up and natural gas will be supplied in tankers from Kochi.