PM Modi to inaugurate Kochi-Mangaluru LNG Pipeline on Tuesday
PM Modi to inaugurate Kochi-Mangaluru LNG Pipeline on Tuesday
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate Kochi-Koottanad-Mangalore to Nation on Tuesday, a project undertaken and operated by GAIL (Gas Authority of India Limited) which will be a quintessential step in establishment of 'One Nation One Gas Grid'. As per the reports, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the pipeline at 11 am on tuesday via video conferencing in presence of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Yediyurappa, Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Union Minister for petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan will also grace the occasion with his presence.
It has been brought under notice of public by GAIL Chairman and MD Manoj Jain in virtual press conference held on Saturday that a Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) is already functional from Kochi LNG terminal Petronet LNG to Mangalore (Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd.) embarking a new revolution in field of green and clean energy. It runs through districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod. The work of the city's gas distribution is in progress in hope of steady supply to some areas by the end of this year. While MCF, the lone chemical fertilizer manufacturer in Karnataka requires about 0.85 million standard cubic metres per day (MSCMD) of LNG, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd., and ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Ltd., were heading to offload 0.6 MSCMD by end of this month. There is a clash expected between LNG auto fuel distribution and city gas distribution.
The 450 km long pipeline has a transportation capacity of 12 million metric standard cubic metres per day. The whole project costs nearly 3000 crore rupees with extensive construction period summing upto 12 lakh man days of employment. The major advantage of LNG lies in its cost efficiency. It will be 40% cheaper than fossil fuels petrol and diesel and 20% cheaper than LPG for domestic consumption. The laying of line emerged as a major engineering challenge to carve its way amidst 100 water bodies. It was achieved by a technique called Horizontal Directional Drilling Method. The pipeline will transport environment friendly and energy efficient fuel with high calorific value in form of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). LNG will facilitate 50% pollution reduction with adequate supply to industries.
The project began in 2009 with an expectation of commissioning in 2014 with a budget of around 2915 crore. However, after dodging hurdles of land acquisition, opposition of owners and delays in construction, it was completed on 16 November 2020 with a final cost of 5715 crore rupees.
