DHNS
 
Mangalore, Mar 20: The commissioning of gas pipeline from Kochi to the city may benefit many industries en route, including a fertiliser plant and a power plant in the city.

Addressing media persons here on Saturday March 18, Gas Task Force (GTF) General Manager M J Mohan said that the Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers (MCF) Limited and the GMR-promoted barge-mounted power plant in Mangalore have shown interest in the use of natural gas.

The pipeline to be laid by Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) will cover Kanjirakode, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargod and Mangalore. It is likely to be commissioned by the end of 2009. However, the gas will have to flow through the pipelines by March 2010, he informed. The pipelines will also be laid till Bangalore via Kanjirakode, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem and Krishnagiri to reach Bangalore, to supply the natural gas.

Stating that the Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) is setting up a 2.5 MMTPA LNG regassification plant at Puthuvypeen in Kochi, he said the LNG brought by sea to this plant will be converted into PNG (piped natural gas) and CNG (compressed natural gas) for distribution to potential customers.

Design changes

Stating that all approvals have been taken for the construction of the plant, Mohan said the Tsunami had necessitated some design changes in the project.

To a query, he said the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has evinced interest in the supply of CNG (compressed natural gas) for transport facilities. Supply of domestic piped gas is also on the cards in Mangalore and Bangalore cities.

Asked about the progress in the establishment of LNG plant at Kochi, Mr Mohan said that land has already been acquired from the Kochi Port Trust, and the construction activities are likely to begin from June 2006. The capacity of Kochi plant is likely to be increased to 5 MMTPA.

Gas Task Force Deputy General Manager Thomas Zachariah was also present.