It was a long project that had seen numerous delays due to land acquisition delays and many other issues. But persistent follow up by Prime Minister’s Office ensured that the project saw the light, today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi and Mangalore in the virtual event which was also attended by dignitaries including governors and chief ministers of Kerala and Karnataka. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed the completion of GAIL’s Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline project.
The 450 km-long pipeline with 12 MMSCMD which cost Rs 3000 crores will carry natural gas from Kochi in Kerala through Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts to Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
The pipeline will bring convenient and uninterrupted supply of environment friendly and affordable fuel in the form of piped natural gas (PNG) to households, commercial units and compressed natural gas (CNG) across different city gas distribution (CGD) areas in different Geographical Areas. The pipeline will drive self-reliance in India’s energy landscape and help realise the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The project created over 12 lakh man-days of employment during construction. This pipeline will also offer clean industrial fuel and feedstock for petrochemical and fertilized sectors. It will usher economic growth and facilitate cleaner environment in Kerala and Karnataka. It in sync with PM Modi’s mantra of providing more energy with less carbon footprint to facilitate ease-of-living for citizens.
