However, construction of the 30-bn cum/yr pipeline was delayed until March, mainly due to miscommunication with Indian government agencies on visa issues for Chinese engineers and equipment, the CNPC unit said on its web site recently. The final stage of construction of the pipeline started in early November, the company said, without stating when the pipeline will be operational. The project is the first gas pipeline a Chinese company has built in southern Asia. With it, CNPC expects to build its reputation and win more engineering contracts in the region.