Bhubaneswar (Tapan Moharana): The proposed 1700 km Surat-Paradeep natural gas pipeline is expected to be completed by 2014 for which bid will be invited within a week. Out of the total length of the pipeline around 400 km of pipeline will be laid in Orissa.

“The union government will invite bid for the Surat-Paradeep pipeline within a week and the process will continue for minimum 6 months. The winning company would be given 36 months to execute the project and it will be executed with an estimated investment of Rs.12000 crore" L.Mansingh, Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory said.

Similarly under the ongoing 1100 km Kakinada-Howrah natural gas pipeline project around 434 km pipeline is being laid in Orissa.

Speaking at a special interaction session organized by CII ,he said that total about Rs.76,000 - 84,000 crore investment is estimated to be required for setting up Petroleum & Natural Gas infrastructure in next five years. Of this Rs.60,000-Cr would be required for natural gas pipelines,15000crore for CGD networks and 9000crore for petroleum product pipelines.

The pipeline Projects will avail cooking gas at an affordable rate in the state. For this the Gas authority has tentatively  identified 9  growth locations i.e.Bhadrak, Khurda, Kamakhyanagar, Rourkela, Anandpur, Bhubaneswar,Jajpur, Balasore and Baripada for development of CGD network terminals. The CGD network would involve the distribution of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas for domestic and automobile and industrial use.

Currently there are 7 lakh vehicles in the country and the number is expected to 33 lakh in the next 5 years and 58 lakh in the next 10 years. Similarly the number of G

He acknowledged that timely completion of these two projects is very crucial for the success of the proposed Petroleum, chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in the state.

On the other hand he urged the state government to notify Single Window Clearance Mechanism at State/District/Municipality levels and notify Nodal Officers at State/District/Municipality levels. He also demanded reduction of sales tax on natural gas which is whopping 24 % now.  Underlining the employment potential of this sector he also asked the state government for the development of skilled manpower in Plumbing, Welding, O&M and Safety through ITIs.

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