CM silent, GAIL to push pipeline with Cong chief

GAIL authorities had started working on the project last year. The proposed 1,600-km-long multi-purpose gas pipeline would cost about Rs 1.5 crore per km and would require a minimum demand of 10 million metric standard cubic metre per day (mmscmd) of gas.

On coming to know of private investors’ interest in the power sector, GAIL had, in August last year, written to UP Development Council chairman Amar Singh. Gail sought Singh to persuade private industrialists to opt for gas-based power plants instead of coal-based ones. Till date, there has been no response from Singh.

GAIL conducted a survey on the requirement in Rae Bareli, Amethi, Rania, Khurja, Varanasi, Allahabad, Renukoot, Bareilly and Shikohabad and found that there was hardly any demand for gas. GAIL zonal divisional manager for UP and Uttaranchal, P.K. Goon admits that NTPC’s Unchahaar power plant, presently generating 840 mw and planning an expansion of another 400 mw could meet half the demand as it would require 5 mmscmd gas after the expansion. Besides, the survey has also listed some other industries like the Gorakhpur-based fertilizer plant of the Food Corporation of India and Duncans’ fertilizer plant which are currently sick but can be revived.