M A I N   N E W S

J&K Govt to bring ordinance for laying Bathinda-Srinagar gas pipeline
Cabinet gives its nod to draft legislation for 750-km-long project; will now be sent for Governor’s approval
Arteev Sharma/TNS

Jammu, April 9
After failing to introduce a Bill in the recently concluded Budget Session of Legislative Assembly, the state government would bring an ordinance to facilitate the laying of 750-km-long gas pipeline from Bathinda to Srinagar, via Jammu.

To cover 8 dists The gas pipeline would originate from Bathinda will cover eight districts up to its tail end in Srinagar. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the competent authority to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas in J-K The Rs 880-crore project, approved in June last year, was supposed to be completed within 36 months. The project had stuck in legal impediments with regard to the acquisition and use of land coming under the project

“The government has already initiated the process of bringing an ordinance for uninterrupted activities regarding laying of gas pipeline up to Srinagar from Bathinda by M/s Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL) and other underground public utilities to be undertaken in future. A detailed proposal in this regard was put before the state Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah which gave its approval for bringing an Ordinance,” a senior Cabinet minister told The Tribune.

The minister said the government couldn’t introduce the Bill in this regard in the recently concluded budget session following “technical and administrative glitches”.

“Though the government intended to bring a comprehensive Bill for hassle-free activities for laying gas pipeline, it could not be matured. The government felt the need to bring an ordinance in this regard and it has been approved by the Cabinet today,” the minister said, adding that the ordinance would be sent to Governor N N Vohra for his consent.

Sources said the Revenue Department in consultation with the Law Department prepared draft legislation (ordinance) on the directions of the Chief Minister. “The move has come after GSPL — which has been executing the project — approached the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) requesting it to get the legal formalities of the project cleared by the J&K Government on fast-track basis,” sources said.

They said the gas pipeline that would originate from Bathinda will cover eight districts up to its tail end in Srinagar. The PNGRB under the Union Ministry of Petroleum is the competent authority to ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas in Jammu and Kashmir and to promote competitive markets.

The project had stuck in legal impediments with regard to the acquisition owing to the J&K’s special status.

The prime objective of the project is to connect the J&K with the National Gas Grid through the pipeline and ultimately link individual households with round-the-clock supply lines.