*PDP chief raises issue in LS
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 7: Approved more than four years back, the Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline is unlikely to see light of the day till 2019 as several vital decisions connected with this ambitious project are yet to be resolved both in Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining States. Moreover, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has yet not accorded sanction to the extension of permission sought by the project executing agency.
Perturbed over the hanging fate of this project of immense importance for hilly State of Jammu and Kashmir, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and Member Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti today raised the issue in the Lok Sabha seeking intervention of the Union Ministry of Petroleum for giving required impetus to the gas pipeline.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board on July 7, 2011 had authorized GSPL, a subsidiary of the Gujarat Government to lay Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline to ensure gas supply for industrial, commercial and domestic use in Jammu and Kashmir.
Subsequently, PNGRB transferred the authorization in favour of GSPL India Gasnet Limited-a consortium comprising of GSPL, Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.
However, despite lapse of more than four years, no major head-way could be made in Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline project by the GSPL India Gasnet Limited (GIGL), sources said, adding though route of the gas pipeline up to Smailpur area in the Samba district has been identified no decision has been taken till date about the course to be adopted in Jammu and Udhampur districts. “Unless the route is finalized in these two districts, the similar exercise in other districts cannot be initiated”, they further said.
In response to a question, they said that proceedings vis-à-vis 52 villages in Kathua and 36 villages in Samba district have been conducted but right of use has yet not been given to the GIGL mainly on the ground that it has not fixed any timeframe for start of work of laying pipeline. “Though the Udhampur district administration has submitted report to the GIGL about the possible routes of the gas pipeline but formal decision is still awaited”, sources added.
Not only in Jammu and Kashmir, the GISL has failed to make any progress in adjoining States of Punjab and Haryana, sources said while disclosing that Haryana Government recently appointed Collectors for completion of land related formalities, which will take sufficient time before formal transfer of right of use to the GIGL. Similarly, several issues vis-à-vis gas pipeline are yet to be resolved in Punjab.
Moreover, the permission, which was accorded by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to the GIGL in July 2011 lapsed last year and the Board has yet not taken any decision on the application moved by the project executing agency for extension of the same without which work on ground cannot be carried out, sources informed.
Responding to another question, sources said, “the GIGL is seeking permission for completion of project till 2019 and this clearly indicates that Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline like is unlikely to see light of the day during next four years”. They further said that besides practical hurdles the slackness of the GIGL is also responsible for delay in execution of this ambitious project as its officers don’t respond timely to the issues being projected by the State Governments including J&K.
The Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution of J&K, Ch Zulfkar Ali had on November 10 expressed dis-satisfaction over the pace of work on the project. He had sought presence of the Chairman of GIGL in the next meeting on the subject scheduled for November 19 for making full presentation on the project with complete DPR.
However, the Chairman sought time till first week of December but he failed to meet the timeline and still it is not known when he will come and explain the issues to the J&K Government, which will be the major beneficiary of the project, sources said.
Concerned over inordinate delay in start of work on the project, the president of ruling People’s Democratic Party and Member Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti raised the issue in the Lok Sabha today seeking intervention of Ministry of Petroleum.
Responding to the query of Mehbooba Mufti, the Union Minister admitted that GIGL has completed only route survey and feasibility report four years after the authorization of laying of gas pipeline from Bhatinda in Punjab to Jammu and Srinagar.
“The consortium has completed route survey and detailed feasibility report and notified 460 kilometers out of total 720 kilometers for acquisition of right of use”, the Union Minister said in the reply, adding “a maximum period of 36 months from the date of issue of authorization is allowed for commissioning of the gas pipeline”.
“His reply clearly indicates that from the date of fresh authorization by the PNGRB, the GIGL will take minimum three years for completion of the project and in all probability the project is unlikely to see light of the day before 2019”, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that PNGRB is the competent authority for granting authorization to entities to develop natural gas pipeline on common carrier or contract carrier basis.
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