‘Trunk pipeline being connected by Sept 2026’
*No need to be panic, sufficient supplies available
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 22: While most of the countries in the world are facing fuel crisis amidst war in the Middle- East, there is good news for the people of Jammu, as they will get cooking gas (LPG) in their kitchens directly through pipes within this year.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
“Over 90% of the work on Gurdaspur-Jammu gas pipeline has been completed and we are expecting to connect the gas trunk pipeline with the source by September this year. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) is looking after this project and now, hardly 10 % of the work is left on this gas pipeline,” Ashutosh Gupta, Executive Director and UT Head of the Indian Oil Corporation of India Limited (IOCL) for J&K, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh said.
While referring to the progress on this Bathinda-Gurdaspur Jammu Gasline Project, Gupta said, ” The project is progressing well. We are satisfied with the pace of work. GAIL company has been assigned the task by the Government. We hope by the end of next year, when we will meet again for another press briefing, you people (Jammuites) will have cooking gas connections through pipes/taps in your kitchens,” the IOCL Executive Director disclosed.
Gupta said not only, cooking gas, the sufficient supply of CNG will also be available in Jammu area for the vehicles. It will have great relief for the CNG vehicle users as its running cost is low as compared to petrol and diesel, he added.
“Out of the total 78 kms length of gas pipeline from Lakhanpur to Jammu, hardly three kilometers have been left within the territory of J&K. Certain issues with regard to forest clearance etc have also been resolved, which created some hurdles in the earlier stage. The cities of Kathua and Samba will also be the beneficiaries along with Jammu City in the initial stage and before April next, Jammu is certain to get home supply of the cooking gas through pipes,” another official of the IOCL said.
He further disclosed that a detailed survey after discussions with the City administration and Smart City Project officials has already been conducted. Several areas in Jammu City have been identified for the gas gates. The work of laying gas pipes in Jammu City is going to be started shortly while the blue print for it has already been finalized and approved, he added.
Ashutosh Gupta further said that despite Middle- East crisis and blockade at Hormuz strait, there was no shortage of fuel in J&K, Punjab or even Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. He said sufficient stocks are available with the oil companies, and the consumers need not to be panic.
The Executive Director disclosed that country’s 60 % of the LPG supplies are imported from outside while out of these supplies, almost 90 % is procured from Gulf countries through Hormuz. Even under Iran-US crisis, the Government of India is managing supplies and there is no much impact on the supplies of petrol, diesel and even LPG, he claimed.
He said, earlier, there was rush at the fuel outlets due to panic but with the awareness, the people came to know about the reality and the rush has started decreasing in Jammu and other areas.
Gupta further said that Oil companies with the support of Divisional and District administration and the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department heads are trying to regulate the supplies, keeping check on the black marketing. Even, police help is also being taken in certain cases.
Gupta said after Iran-US crisis, the online/ digital LPG cylinders’ booking has increased from 62% to 92 % in J&K. Now, the companies have devised OTP system to deliver cylinders to the genuine consumers. Besides this, 25 days restrictions for urban areas and 45 days for booking in the rural areas has been imposed. But this is temporary and it can be lifted in the near future, after the supply position improves, he added.
Referring to commercial cylinders shortage in the market, the ED said earlier 20 % supply was being ensured for the commercial activity, giving much priority to the domestic supply as per Government directives, but as of now, this supply has been improved to 70%, he added.
The supply to the Industry, Airlines, Rail and allied works contractors has also been improved. The companies have introduced 5kg Free Trade LPG cylinders especially, for the non-resident workers/labour class. In Jammu more than 1000 cylinders have been distributed so far. Special camps with local administration were organized for this purpose, Gupta said.
The Executive Director was accompanied State Level Coordinator of Oil Industry in J&K and Ladakh Himanshu Sharma and PIB Director, J&K, Neha Jalali.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
