Talking to reporters here, after Gail entered into a Gasco-operation agreement with KSIDC, to develop a gas pipeline network between Kochi to Kasaragod and Kochi to Kayamkulam, he said the terminal had also received environmental clearance, but a letter in this regard was yet to be received. He said it would take 30 to 34 months for the construction of the terminal.

The present capacity, which was 2.5 million tonne per day, in the first phase, would be doubled to five million tonne, he said.

Mr Chandana said the capacity would have to be expanded, to make the gas more economical for customers. Requirements of the state and areas across it's borders could also be met, he said, adding that there was also a proposal to extend the Kochi-Kasaragod pipeline to Mangalore and Bangalore.

Petronet LNG, a joint venture company with FACT, ONGC, IOC, BPCL and Gail, will be importing LNG in the country from Rasgas in Qatar. Terminals are being set up at Kochi and Dahej in Gujarat for the same.

Kerala being a coastal state, LNG could be bought at a competitive price from Rasgas, Mr Chandana said. To a query, he said the Dahej project had not been affected in the recent earthquake in Gujarat.

There had been some tripping in the ONGC installations for four hours on Jan 26, due to the shock of the quake, but it was soon rectified. There had also been no damage to their pipelines, he added. Gail's other pipeline from the Jamnagar refinery, which passes through Bhuj, one of the worst affected areas, had not suffered any major damage, Mr Chandana said.

(PTI)