Kakinada-Vizag-Srikakulam natural gas
pipeline to cater to the fuel requirements of Northern Andhra Pradesh will be
completed by June 2024, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas
Rameswar Teli informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
He pointed out
that though the deadline was June 30,
2022, it was extended to June 30, 2024, on the request of Andhra Pradesh Gas
Distribution Corporation (APGDC).
The minister
explained that that the Natural Gas Regulatory Board made Andhra Pradesh Gas
Distribution Corporation (APGDC) an authorised organisation for construction
and monitoring of Kakinada-Vizag-Srikakulam natural gas pipeline in 2014.
Previously,
works between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam were to be completed by June 30, 2021
and by June 30, 2022, between Vizag and Srikakulam, Teli said.
However, due to
the Covid pandemic, problems faced during rainy season for construction of
pipeline, delay in release of funds, the APGDC requested the Board for an
extension till June 2024, the minister elaborated.
The Indian oil corporation
has been laying gas pipeline from Ennore to Tuticorin for the past five years
but its progress has not been disclosed by the Oil marketing company. In view
of the inordinate delay in laying the pipeline the five million ton LNG
terminal at Kamarajar port is working to hardly 30 per cent of its capacity.
The terminal is operated by IOC.