: With the State getting its act together to fast-track the 504-km RLNG (re-gasified liquefied natural gas) pipeline project through its northern districts, which had been slowed down due to opposition from locals and subsequent withdrawal of contractors, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) is gearing up to resume outstanding pipe-laying work in a month’s time.
Sources told The Hindu that unfinished work along a total distance of 31-km—in areas in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Kasaragod districts—would recommence in the first week of August.
“To begin with, survey of land along a 17-km stretch in Ernakulam district was completed last month and confirmation was obtained from landowners for making their land available for the project.
The State, on its part, designated nodal officers, not less than the rank of sub-collector, for each district hosting the pipeline and appointed an additional Tehsildar on service extension, Anil Kumar, as competent authority for legal documentation pertaining to land-use by GAIL.
Following a meeting chief secretary Jiji Thomson had with Union petroleum secretary in April, GAIL was prodded to reciprocate in equal measure.
GAIL is now in the process of deploying nodal officers from its side for each district. It will set up camps at Thrissur and Kanhangad for coordinating welding and lowering of pipes in the 31-km distance on award of contract for the same, said a source.
Work is now apace to float a global tender for the entire stretch of the pipeline, known by the name Kochi Koottanad Bangalore Mangalore Pipeline (KKBMPL) Project by September this year. “The plan is to concurrently lay pipes along the entire stretch by the end of the year so as to finish the job by mid-2016. A safety audit by international agencies will be carried out before commissioning the line,” said the source.
GAIL’s roadmap now suggests that it is planning to complete the work in 15 months — earmarking 12 months for construction and the remaining for safety audit.
The State has designated nodal officers for each district hosting the pipeline.
