India’s minister of petroleum and natural gas says GAIL (India) Ltd. is “running behind schedule” on three pipeline projects (OGJ Online, Mar. 15, 2013).
India’s Press Information Bureau cited a written reply by Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.
The projects are: the second phase of the Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore gas pipeline; an upgrade of the Vijaypur-Kota pipeline and laying of spur to Chittorgarh; and the Surat-Paradip trunkline and spur.
He cited legal disputes, nonavailability of right-of-use, delay in getting statutory clearances such as forest clearance, wildlife sanctuary permission, contractural issues, complexity of terrain, and non-availability of anchor load customers.