SC allows GAIL to lay RLNG pipeline

The Supreme Court has allowed public sector GAIL India to lay a pipeline for transportation of natural gas to a power project that will supply electricity for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year.

The pipeline, which will transport regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) from Vijaipur to Dadri, will also supply gas to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

A special forest bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan allowed the public sector to go ahead with its Rs 3,306-crore project, which required laying of the pipeline through wildlife sanctuary areas in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, on certain conditions imposed by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

The bench passed the order after GAIL undertook to comply with the recommendations given by the apex court-appointed committee. Besides, it said the original topography of the area would be restored and the safety norms prescribed by the Oil Industry Safety Directorate would be strictly adhered to.

The 505-km pipeline, with a maximum diameter of 48 inches, will pass through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

CEC had recommended that the apex court may permit underground pipeline over a distance of two km in the National Chambal Sanctuary at Morena and 3.5 km in the Ramsagar sanctuary subject to certain conditions.

It recommended that GAIL should deposit five per cent of the estimated cost of more than Rs 36 crore (i.e. Rs 1.8 crore) in the compensatory afforestation fund for the conservation and protection works in the sanctuaries.

Besides, it said that the NPV at the rates applicable for the land use falling within the national park and sanctuary will be deposited by the applicant.