Kochi Gas Project works after Onam

KOCHI: The prestigious City Gas Project, being implemented by the Indian Oil - Adani Gas Pvt Ltd (IOAGPL) that has been stalled due to monsoon, is set to start after Onam. A senior official of IOAGPL said that the works for laying the pipeline have been stopped since June due to monsoon. "We will resume the work once we get permission from the concerned agencies and the Government of Kerala for laying the pipeline which we expect after Onam," he said.

The project was launched by the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on February 21 by lighting the piped natural gas (PNG) connection to the canteen of the Ernakulam Government Medical College. A headload worker from Kangarappady Mr Pavithran was also given a PNG connection. The project has made tardy progress since with the official claiming giving 70 PNG connections. There have been reports that the project has been stopped as the PWD had stalled the works denying permission to dig the costly white topping road from Manalimukku. However, the official who denied this said that the works are only stalled due to monsoon and will resume after Onam.

"The State Government, the Central Government, the local bodies and various agencies associated with the works have been extending excellent co-operation for the project. We are also ready to resume the work," the official added. The company aims to give 44,000 domestic connections in the district in the next three years. After completing the domestic, commercial and industrial connections, the project will focus on transport sector with CNG.