Surat-Paradip proj a chance to develop CNG corridor: Patel

GAIL's proposed 1,540 km long Surat- Paradip natural gas pipline project, which will pass through Vidarbha, will be of immense benefit to the gas consumers in the region, Heavy Industries Praful Patel Minister said today.
"The domestic gas consumers will be benefited, as CNG is cheaper than LNG and can be supplied through pipelines," Patel said on the sidelines of the 2nd edition of 'Advantage Vidarbha' summit here.
The pipeline will pass through Dhule, Jalgaon, Akola, Amravati, Nagpur, Bhandara, Durg, Bhilai and Raipur, the GAIL Chairman and Managing Director, B C Tripathi, has said in a letter to Patel.
The pipeline will fulfil the natural gas demand of various districts and regions in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, Patel said.

"The pipeline runs close to the national highways and provides an opportunity for developing a CNG corridor for the vehicular traffic plying along the 750 km route," he said.
The fuel needs of this corridor can be serviced through requisite spur line connectivity.

He said the GAIL was examining a proposal of re-routing the trunk line along Wardha, Nagpur, Gondia and Raipur in proximity of railway network for covering the industrial areas and also to bypass the naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh.
The 36-inch diameter pipeline will have the capacity to handle 75 mmscmd natural gas along with the four states, GAIL has stated in its letter.

The Gail has recently opened a co-ordination and liaison office in Nagpur for managing ground activities of the pipeline construction.