The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Stalin’s plea to speed up gas pipeline network

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Sunday, Jul 05, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Stalin’s plea to speed up gas pipeline network

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday appealed to the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to take steps to speed up the implementation of a natural gas pipeline network in the State.

Speaking after commissioning the sea water desalination plant of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) in suburban Manali, Mr. Stalin said Tamil Nadu had been demanding the project for several decades now.

He also wanted the Union Ministry to implement the Southern Gas Grid. Recalling that there was a proposal for a natural gas pipeline between Chennai and Tuticorin, pending with Gas Authority of India (GAIL), he urged the Ministry to expedite the project.

Mr. Stalin also wanted the Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, who presided over the function, to set up a research and development centre on gas hydrates in the State.

He said that in view of the rapid industrial development of the State there was greater need for natural gas. The Centre should accord priority for laying a pipeline to move natural gas from the Krishna Godavari Basin to the State.

In his welcome address, Indian Oil Corporation Chairman Sarthak Behuria said that the three MGD water supplied by Chennai Metrowater to CPCL, an IOC group company, could be diverted for city needs with the commissioning of the desalination plant.

An aviation turbine fuel pipeline of IOC from the refinery to the Chennai airport was also commissioned at the same function. CPCL Managing Director K.K. Acharya said that implementation of the two new facilities required coordination between several departments and thanked all of them.

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