AT THE end of December, GAIL (India) placed the order for the supply of pipe for its Dahej-Uran pipeline (DUPL) project, delayed due to the controversy over the choice of pipe material. The gas major also placed another order for the Vijaipur-Kota pipeline project. The supply of pipes will now commence from April, and the 500-km pipeline will be completed by February, 2007.
GAIL has already placed orders for critical items such as valves and fittings, the delivery of which has commenced. The Maharashtra energy market, which is currently facing about 50% per cent shortfall in gas supplies, is expected to benefit from the Dahej-Uran project. The inter-state gas pipeline will link Gujarat and Maharashtra, using five different supply sources: the South Bassein fields, the Panna-Mukta and Tapti fields, the Lakshmi fields, and Dahej and Hazira.