City gas project to reach northern districts of Kerala in March

KOCHI: The city gas project, which will supply cooking gas to households through pipes, will reach six northern districts in March. Homes will start getting gas by April. At present only 6000 households in Ernakulam district have access to city gas.

The scheme was launched on February 21, 2016 by the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. During the last six years, the project has been implemented only in Kalamassery and Thrikkakara municipalities. Indian Oil Adani Gas Pvt Ltd said it would cross 10,000 connections by the end of March.

The main reason for the delay was the non-issuance of permission by the local bodies to lay underground pipeline on the roadside. Floods and Covid also caused hindrance. A year ago, the state government issued a special order giving permission to the local bodies. Connections will start in March in six more divisions of Kochi municipality.

City Gas is powered by the Kochi-Mangalore LNG pipeline. The Gas Authority of India (GAIL) supplies fuel from the main pipeline to Indian Oil Adani Gas substations. Indian Oil Adani Gas will be supplied through pipelines from substations to villages. Fuel supply to Palakkad substation will start by February 15. Three substations between Malappuram and Kasaragod will be operational in March.

At homes and flats

Gas will be piped to homes, apartment complexes, offices, factories and businesses. The pipeline can be connected to a standard gas stove in the home. Consumers have to just pay the amount recorded on the meter. It will cost half as much as LPG.

Piped Natural Gas (PNG)
Safe and reliable
Uninterrupted availability
It will not explode
It is lighter than air and leaks quickly