The Hindu Business Line : Gas pipelines

With reference to the news item, "Cabinet nod for Oil Ministry to negotiate gas pipe lines" (Business Line, February 10), the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, and the Petroleum Minister, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, are both moving on a fast track because there is no time to lose when the country's energy needs are increasing along with the rapid economic growth.

According to Mr Aiyar, India is now importing 85 per cent of the oil requirements. This may rise to 90 per cent in the next 20 years unless major policy decisions are taken "outside the box'', as is now being done.

Some point to the risks involved in the proposed gas pipelines through Bangladesh and Pakistan and suggest Tripura as an alternative, as if Tripura and the north-eastern region, as a whole, are free of risks from insurgency.

Even Saudi Arabia, the largest oil-producing country of the world, is facing terrorist threats to its oil drilling and refinery operations and pipelines.

Kangayam R. Rangaswamy,

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