Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Petroleum Minister Inaugurates Construction Office in Patna

Ushers in commencement of first phase of Project work for Jagdishpur-Haldia Pipeline

Patna, May 25, 2015: As a first step to usher in commencement of project work on the first phase of Jagdishpur-Haldia Pipeline, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas inaugurated the project office in Patna today in presence of Shri Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and GAIL Chairman and Managing Director Shri B C Tripathi, Director (Projects) Dr Ashutosh Karnatak. Also gracing the occasion were Shri Arun Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble MLA, Shri Suraj Nandan Kushwaha, Hon’ble MLC, Shri Nitin Navin, Hon’ble MLA, Shri Lal Babu Prasad, Hon’ble MLC, Shri Sanjay Mayukh, Hon’ble MLC, Shri Satyendra Narayan Kushwaha, Hon’ble MLC, Ms. Usha Vidyarthi, Hon’ble MLA, Shri Chitranjan Kumar, Hon’ble MLA, senior officials of GAIL among others.

Jagdishpur-Haldia Pipeline has been heralded onto the national agenda as part of Government of India’s vision of doubling the Natural Gas Pipeline network to over 30,000 km in next 5 years. Aptly termed, “Urja Ganga” for Eastern India, this pipeline paves way for maiden entry of natural gas supplies into Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Construction office will serve as a nodal centre to facilitate the company’s construction activities for Jagdishpur- Haldia Pipeline.

 The Jagdishpur-Haldia natural gas pipeline will serve as the ‘Energy Highway’ to carry the environment-friendly fuel to four states i.e. Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Presently, GAIL is taking up the first phase of this Pipeline which involves laying of approximately 750 km of Pipeline at an estimated expenditure of Rs. 3957 crore. The capacity of Phase-I Pipeline is 7.4 MMSCMD and that of entire Jagdishpur – Haldia Pipeline will be 16 MMSCMD.

 While supplying gas to anchor load customers like Gorakhpur & Barauni Fertilizer Plants and Barauni Refinery, the first phase of the Pipeline will also cater to domestic needs through CGD development in cities like Varanasi and Patna when the authorizations for the same are accorded by Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). 413 km of pipeline will be laid in Bihar covering 9 districts (Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Patna, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai and Begusarai) in first phase and additional 200 km of Pipeline covering four more districts (Chappra, Siwan, Gopalganj and West Champaran) will be laid in subsequent phases.

 Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said “It is the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that development of Eastern India is must for the overall development of the country. The Jagdishpur-Haldia Pipeline is a crucial infrastructure project that can make available clean and green fuel to propel the development of the states across Eastern India. The Construction office which we have inaugurated today gives me an immense sense of confidence that finally we are off the blocks on the much awaited project.”

 GAIL (India) Limited is India’s No. 1 Integrated Natural Gas company with a market share of over 75% in natural gas transmission. Apart from being a leader in India GAIL is also ranked as No. 1 amongst Gas utility companies in Asia. With over 11,000 Kms of Natural gas network, GAIL supplies India’s fuel requirements across sectors like Power, Fertilizer, Industrial, Automotive and even Household consumers. Apart from natural gas transmission, distribution and processing, the Company has diversified business interests in Petrochemicals, LPG transmission, City gas projects and Exploration and Production activities. The company is committed to expand its current network to 15,000 km within 5 years.

 For further information, please contact:

 Mr. Jyoti Kumar,

Chief Manager (Corporate Communications)

GAIL (India) Limited

+91 98 18 805711