TIRUPATI: Oil major, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) would shortly be commencing work to lay a pipeline between Chennai and Bangalore at an estimated plan outlay of Rs.204 crores. Significantly, the underground line spanning 290 kms, according to official sources, would be the first such project to be taken up by the Oil Ministry in the entire south India.

What apparently made the Oil Ministry to link the two metropolis with a pipeline to meet their oil requirements was the high density traffic on National Highway 5 between Chennai and Bangalore and secondly the benefit it would accrue in terms of environmental protection.

The Oil Ministry is reported to have already secured the nod of the environment and forest wings to go ahead with the project and has sought the cooperation of the three State Governments concerned, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to provide necessary logistics from their side for its completion.

Out of the total 290 kms stretch, nearly 111 kms pipeline would have to run through Chittoor district alone while it would be 96 kms in case of Tamil Nadu and 83 kms via Karnataka.

Sources said the project seeks to put in place a pipeline with high speed motors to supply 1.45 million metric tonnes of petro products per anum between the two cities.

Survey over

Survey for the work is said to have been already completed and once the land acquisition work is also completed possibly before December, the pipeline is expected to become operational by April next.

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