Completion of Bathinda-Srinagar gas pipeline to depend on

Completion of Bathinda-Srinagar gas pipeline project, scheduled to be executed by July last year, would depend on statutory clearances from the state governments and the completion of studies on potential customers, government told Rajya Sabha today.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan blamed the delay on absence of "anchor load customers" and non-availablility of statutory clearence.
The tendering process has also been delayed as a result, he said in reply to questions.
Pradhan said studies are being carried out about the potential customers.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board had authorised GSPL India Gasnet Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd for laying the pipeline from Bathinda to Sringar via Jammu.

The original completion date for laying the 725 km long pipeline project was July 6, 2014.

"The completion date will depend on the receipt of the clearances from the state governments," he said.
To another question on the loss of life and property in an ONGC oil well near Surat on April 15, the Minister said out of 12 people injured, two of them died during treatment while condition of five persons undergong tratment are reported to be stable.
"ONGC has further reported that crops belonging to 82 farmers got damaged and work over rig and rane, which were charter hired, also got completely damaged.

The uncontrolled flowing gas caught fire during replacement of damaged 'blow out preventer', he said describing it as a "flash fire".