LNG terminal capacity to be doubled at Kochi: Petroleum Secretary

Kochi, Nov.22 (ANI): Union Petroleum Secretary S. Sundareshan has revealed that the terminal capacity of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) would be doubled at Kochi.

He also said the meeting of board of directors of Petronet LNG has decided to increase the existing capacity from 2.5 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes.

"In principle, we have decided to give the go ahead to expand the capacity of the LNG terminal at Cochin (Kochi) from 2.5 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes and the final proposal in this regard will be considered for approval at the next board meeting," said Sundareshan.

He also informed about the new investments that will be made in the State.

"Over 10,000 crore (rupees) is going to be invested in Kerala. About 3,700 crore on the LNG terminal which is coming up in Cochin, about 5,000 crore is going to be invested by Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), in the pipeline network that is coming in the State," said Sundareshan.

Sundareshan further added that the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project is being discussed and companies like GAIL and Indian Oil Corporation are in talks with the Government over the matter.

GAIL chairman B C Tripathi, Apurva Chandra Petroleum Ministry Joint Secretary D. K. Saraf, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Director A. K. Balya, Petronet Managing Director S.

Radhakrishnan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPL) and Director (Finance) of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) S. V.Narasimhan were also present at the press meet. By Juhan SamuelANI)