The proposed pipeline will originate from the Kochi LNG Terminal in Kerala and extend up to Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, covering a length of approximately 425 km with a system capacity of 6.84 million metric standard cubic meters per day (MMSCMD), including common carrier capacity, PNGRB said in a statement.
The authorization of the KTPL pipeline represented a significant step towards strengthening the natural gas transmission infrastructure in southern India, it added.
The pipeline is expected to facilitate the efficient evacuation and transportation of re-gasified LNG from the Kochi LNG Terminal to key demand centres across Kerala and the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. The project is also expected to play an important role in enabling the expansion of city gas distribution (CGD) networks, as well as supplying natural gas to industrial consumers, power plants and other downstream sectors in the region. The development of the pipeline is expected to provide several strategic and economic benefits, including:
- Enhancement of natural gas availability in Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu, thereby improving energy accessibility in the region.
- Strengthening of regional gas infrastructure and improved integration with the national gas grid.
- Facilitation of CGD expansion, enabling increased supply of PNG and CNG to households, commercial establishments and the transport sector.
- Promotion of cleaner energy usage, supporting the Government of India’s objective of increasing the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix and reducing carbon emissions.
- Improvement in energy security and supply reliability through development of critical gas transportation infrastructure.
The authorization follows a competitive bidding process undertaken by PNGRB in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. After evaluation of the technical and financial bids received, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. emerged as the successful bidder for the project.
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