|
Phase-II of the Kochi-Koottanad-
Bangalore-Mangalore
Pipeline project being
executed by GAIL (India)
Ltd is likely to be delayed by a few
months due to protests from the
land owners in Mangalore and
Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada
district of Karnataka.
The protests have been delaying
the right of user (RoU) in land
essential for laying the pipeline.
The project was originally scheduled
to be completed by April
2013 but is now anticipated to be
delayed by a quarter.
In a recent report on the status
of the project, GAIL mentioned
that while the public hearings for
acquiring the RoU as per the
requirement of the Petroleum &
Mineral Pipelines Act is being
conducted by a competent
authority along with the district
administration, unprecedented
objections from the land owners
have been encountered in Mangalore
and Bantwal taluk. Almost
all the villagers and land owners
in these areas are demanding an
alternate route along the coast or
along roadside. This might derail
the project from its schedule by
almost four months. State officials
have recommended re-routing
the 40-km pipeline stretch in
the affected area. GAIL is examining
this proposal.
As per the report, the detailed
route survey for the pipeline has
been completed. Clearances
from the pollution control
boards of Kerala and Karnataka
have been secured while the noobjectio
certificate from Tamil
Nadu Pollution Control Board is
expected soon.
In manufacturing, 85 per cent
(802 km) bare pipe has been
manufactured and coating has
been completed for 70 per cent
(664 km). For laying works, all
sections have been awarded
except the 110-km Section VI,
for which re-tendering was
done. The bids for this section
are currently being evaluated.
Work has been lagging behind
due to land acquisition issues.
Background
The 720-km long Kochi-Koottanad-
Bangalore-Mangalore
pipeline project is being implemented
by Kerala Gail Gas Ltd, a
joint venture project between
Kerala State Industrial Development
Corporation and Gail Gas
Ltd, a subsidiary of GAIL (India)
Ltd. In Kerala, the pipeline
would pass through Ernakulam,
Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram,
Kozhikode, Kannur and
Kasaragod. Work on the 44-kmlong
phase-I of the pipeline
from Kochi to Kalamassery is
nearing completion.
|