PANJIM, JUNE 12
The Union Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan on Saturday stated that the gas pipeline would be ready by mid-2012.
“The work of laying of 175-km pipeline in Goa by tapping the Dabhol-Bangalore network at Gokak in Karnataka is taken up by GAIL at a cost of Rs 400 cr and would be completed by mid-2012”, said the Union secretary while addressing a press conference here on Saturday.
The estimated cost of the entire network of the Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline, including a spur line to Goa, is Rs 4,543.43 crore.
The spur line to Goa will originate from Gokak and end at Zuari Industries passing through Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa.
The length of the pipeline in Goa is 36 km.
The pipeline will pass through the talukas of Bicholim, Ponda and Mormugao.
“On completion the pipeline will supply gas to existing companies and also new gas based industries,” Sundareshan said.
Asked whether the gas can also be used for domestic purpose, he said, “The Petroleum and Natural Gas regulatory Board will list the cities which will be supplied gas in which Goan cities also have to be included.”
Thereafter, he continued, the private companies will have to place their bids and start supply of domestic gas.
Sundareshan said that the industrial requirement of gas in Goa is to the tune of four million cubic metres a day.
The MoPNG secretary said that GAIL will be charging the companies to provide the gas at their doorstep through the pipeline.
He said such a facility will provide impetus to the gas-based industries in Goa.
