The pipeline is a significant investment, estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crores (over $US2 billion).
The Jagdishpur – Phulpur – Haldia pipeline will consist of a 36 inch diameter, 922 km mainline, and 1,128 km of spur lines and feeder lines of between 12 and 30 inches diameter. The pipeline will have a compressor station at Haldia.
GAIL has started activities related to detailed engineering and land liaison surveys for the pipeline route. Construction will begin once these surveys have been completed.
It is estimated that the project will have 46 river crossings, 17 railway crossings, 14 state highway crossings, and 12 national highway crossings.
Article continues below… The first phase of the pipeline will have a capacity of 16 MMcm/d, which would be augmented to 32 MMcm/d in the second phase of the project’s development.
The pipeline will benefit the four states and lead to the set up of City Gas Networks in 17 major cities of the region – Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna, Gaya, Chhapra, Siwan, Gopalganj, Mujaffarpur, Bettiah, Bhagalpur, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Asansol, Durgapur, and Kolkata.
Besides city gas distribution, the pipeline will supply feedstock/fuel to fertilizer and power plants and major industries located in the region.