The Hindu Business Line : GSPL gas grid reaches Ahmedabad

GUJARAT State Petronet Ltd (GSPL) has reached a major milestone by taking its existing gas grid from Vadodara to Ahmedabad-Kalol. With the completion of this 133-km-long grid in less than 12 months, the total length of the GSPL grid, stretching from Hazira in south Gujarat to Kalol in north Gujarat, now stands at 354 kms.

The Ahmedabad `gas dispatch centre' of GSPL was dedicated to the people of the State by the Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, on Sunday. GSPL has already commenced the supply of gas to the Ahmedabad Electricity Company (AEC), whose 100 MW Vatva power plant had been lying dormant for the past three years.

Thereafter, the GSPL would supply gas to IFFCO, Kalol as also to Adani and BPCL for their city gas distribution and CNG projects in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Come September, a spur line will take gas to Arvind Mills and to some units in Gandhinagar just as the 58-km Mora-Sajod stretch near Surat will be completed.

The main pipeline is of 24-inch diametre, while the spur line to AEC and IFFCO metering stations will have a diametre of 18 inches. Some tap-offs have been provided between Vadodara and Kalol to facilitate supply of gas to the Gujarat Electricity Board, local distribution centres as well as eight CNG stations. The network is equipped with computerised terminals, involving SCADA technology, for continuous monitoring of gas flow.

The turnkey contract for construction of the 133-km pipeline was bagged by the Essar-IOC-Stroytransgaz consortium.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Adani Energy Ltd (GAEL), having got the nod from Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) to extend its network within the residential areas of the city, has completed a major portion of its distribution network for the Nandesari- Ranoli industrial estates. "We have already entered contracts with various parties for gas sales agreement. The gas supply will start by June end in the Nandesari-Ranoli area," said Mr Sanjay Gupta, CEO, Infrastructure, Adani Group.