No proposal with PNGRB for setting up a National Gas Pipeline Authority
The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that the details of existing natural gas pipelines along with their capacity to transport the gas is enclosed as Annexure-I. In order to complete the gas grid across the country, about 11,900 km of pipelines have already been authorized by Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)/Government of India and 1200 km of pipeline is under bidding process by PNGRB. For completion of gas grid, 2500 km of pipelines have been identified for development through PPP mode. Presently, there is no proposal with PNGRB for setting up a National Gas Pipeline Authority. The details of the Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar and Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline projects along with the current status is enclosed at Annexure-II. The onus for arranging of funds for laying of natural gas pipelines vests with the entity authorized by PNGRB/Government. For working out the implementation of the Budget announcement, Ministry has identified various pipelines and spur line pipeline sections to be developed to complete the National Gas Grid. Further, Ministry has identified 3 pipeline sections of the total length of about 2500 km for implementation through PPP mode with Viability Gap Funding (VGF). Ministry has approved a pipeline section (Ranchi-Talcher-Paradip) for implementation through PPP mode as pilot project and the remaining 2 pipeline sections viz., Barauni-Guwahati-Agartala and Haldia-Paradip/Srikakulam would be considered through PPP mode with VGF after successful completion of the pilot project.