Gas pipeline project prospects brightens, consultant appointed

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) The prospects of the Iran-Pakistan -India gas pipeline project brightened with the three countries today deciding to appoint a consultant to give a judgement to arrive at an independent gas price forumla, an issue that had nearly grounded the take-off of the seven billion dollar project.

The consultant would arrive at a gas price within a month.

On the last day of the two-day secretary level talks between the three countries today, it was also decided to take up the talks in Tehran next month and the basis of the talks would be on the recommendations of the indpendent cosultant, three of whom have been shortlisted, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said after the meeting here.

A nine-member committee, three each from Iran, Pakistan and India were formed and they have decided to appoint a consultant who would independently give a judgement over the vexed issue over gas pricing which has been opposed by both India and Pakistan for being highly ''overpriced''.

Speaking on the last day of the two-day old Third Secretary level meeting of the three countries to thrash a way out to get the project on rails, Iran's Deputy Minister of Petroleum, M H Nejad Hossenian said, ''We have already begun construction in Iran on the project''.

He said the report of the consultant would mean that the three countries have come closer to the agreement over pricing.

The talks were on the verge of a break-down when Iran stuck to its gas price and said it would not budge by lowering its price for the energy starved countries of India and Pakistan.

The Iranian Minister added that both sides have options since Iran is also mulling over selling gas to Europe. ''You have options of taking gas from Qatar, Kazhakstan and Turkmenistan,'' Mr Nejad Hossenian said.

Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said the flexibility factor of the asking price and the sale price is one of the key factors for the project to take off.

Meanwhile Pakistan, Petroleum Secretary Ahmad Waqar said, ''We are looking into our markets and affordability''.

He hoped that the consultant would come out with an independent gas price. The Pakistani official said they are also looking into a bi-lateral and tri-lateral relationship for gas procurement.

Mr Deora added that X X X PICKING UP DI-18, PARA NINE OF ENERGY -IRAN-GAS PIPELINE, X X X .

UNI/RT PV PC1620