Kochi: The excitement in the Kochi regional office of the GAIL (India) Ltd is palpable. The feeling of desperation has given way to fresh hopes as the sale of gas in the Kochi region covering a 50-km radius has touched three million cubic metres, equalling the quantity sold by a 380-km network in Andhra Pradesh. More than that, the GAIL officials are thrilled by the rapid progress made in the Kochi-Mangalore gas pipeline project meant to evacuate the gas from the Petroent LNG project in Puthuvypeen.
The progress in the project for the past one year has been remarkable with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan making a personal commitment for it. Out of the total length of 437 km of the pipeline passing through seven districts in the state, work has been progressing in 387 km.
The steps for awarding the contract to the remaining 50 km have already been taken, said an official connected with the project.
If the work progresses at the existing pace, the project will be completed by September next year, says Mr Tony Mathew, DGM and in-charge of GAIL (India) Ltd in Kerala.
According to Mr. Mathew, the project will fetch an income of Rs 560 crore to the state government in the form of tax collection.
Apart from the pipeline project, the emphasis placed by the Chief Minister on the expansion of the national highway project has also resulted in speeding up the land acquisition process.
According to PWD Minister G Sudhakaran, the 3A notification of the NH from Kazhakoottam to Cherthala and Ramanattukara to Edappally will be completed and submitted to the NHAI this year. A release issued by the minister on Wednesday also mentioned that NOC for the NH-66 in the districts of Malappuram, Thrissur and Ernakulam will be issued. The detailed project report for the NH in the Kozhikode region has been submitted to the NHAI by the consultants.
