'India has no pressure from US on IPI project'

Mumbai, Mar 24: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora today reaffirmed that India was under no pressure from the US Government on the ongoing Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of his media briefing on the city gas development (CGD) project in the country here today, Mr Deora said ''India is all set to go ahead on the project and I personally do not see any problem from the US government on the issue.'' He said he had already explained about the project in detail to the US energy secretary Samuel W Bodman, during his recent visit to New Delhi and that he had not raised any objection after knowing the developments on the subject.

The US government, in the recent past, had issued a statement saying that Iran may use the money earned through the IPI project for funding its nuclear programme.

He said advisors had already been appointed for the purpose and they were busy preparing a feasibility report on the same. ''Once they submit their report before the ministry, only then can I tell you the exact time when the project would begin,'' Mr Deora said.

Regarding the tarrif being proposed by the Pakistan government for transportation and transmission of gas under the IPI project, he said it ''continues to be a ticklish issue as no conclusion has been reached as yet on the topic.'' Mr Deora, however, hopes that the issue would be resolved soon.

UNI