Kochi is now on the world LNG map with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicating the already operational LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal to the nation. The Rs.4,500-crore terminal, which started functioning four months ago, was officially launched at a function held at Puthuvype here on Saturday.
The project, with a capacity of 5 MMTPA (million matric tones per annum), built by Petronet LNG Limited, materialised after eight years of hard work by the Central and State governments. Dr. Singh urged Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily to coordinate with all the stakeholders to ensure that the full potential of the Kochi terminal is realised.
Dr. Singh said the terminal would contribute to making Kerala an industry-oriented and investor-friendly destination. It would also contribute to the efforts to promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, protecting Kerala’s environment.
The location of the terminal is ideal to provide the whole of southern India with a cleaner and greener form of energy for industries, transport and households. The gas could be utilised by a whole new industrial corridor expected to come up along the gas pipeline route. To make full use of the large investment, penetration of natural gas in Kerala should be increased by augmenting the pipeline network in a manner similar to what has been done in northern and western parts of the country. Mr. Moily urged Mr. Chandy to ensure pipeline connectivity for optimum utilisation of gas. He said 15,000-km of pipeline had been laid at various places and efforts were under way to lay another 16,000 km.
