Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson lists gas project as top need, not port

Kochi: The GAIL gas pipeline project carrying liquefied natural gas from the LNG terminal in Kochi to Bengaluru and Mangalore is more important to the state’s future development than the Vizhinjam seaport and Kochi metro projects, according to chief secretary Jiji Thomson.

Speaking at a review meeting of the pipeline project in Kochi on Saturday, the chief secretary said the project when complete would result in the state earning up to Rs 1,500 crore from tax revenue and rentals alone.

“It will augment the supply of the cooking gas, and will bring down the cost of distribution,” he pointed out. The state should strive to ensure that the project is taken to other parts of the state, too.

The chief secretary’s comments come in the wake of widespread criticism for the lack of progress the Rs 5,000-crore pipeline project has made even as the government went ahead with the Vizhinjam port project and the second phase of the Kochi metro project.

It is only recently that the state has showed some initiative and appointed nodal officers in all districts through which the pipeline passes to sort out issues related to land acquisition.

Meanwhile, GAIL has floated the tender for taking up the pipeline laying work for the entire stretch from Kochi to Mangalore. GAIL expects the tendering process to conclude in November so that the work can begin in December.