India-Iran pipeline on track

 
SRINAGAR: Iran-Pakistan- India gas pipeline is on and will be completed in given time. This was disclosed by the minister of petroleum and natural gas, Murli Deora here on Monday. Talking to reporters here, minister said that the prestigious project is on and will be completed but no time frame can be given for its completion.

The minister also said that there is no plan right now to increase price of petrol or petroleum products. On introduction of CNG in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said that for this purpose supply of natural gas is to be assured and steps will be taken to ensure the same within two years. However, for the time being auto LPG will be introduced in a big way. Deora, who earlier in the day held a meeting with the state chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad assured the three hill States of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh that there needs and requirements with respect to the energy sector will be given due priority to ensure that the development of these states is not impaired.

The minister appreciated the difficulties being faced by these states due to difficult terrain and other locational disadvantages and directed the concerned officials to come out with solution to these problems. Besides J&K chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Himachal Pradesh chief minister, Veer Badra Singh and Uttarakhand chief secretary and senior officials of all the three states and ministry of petroleum and natural gas also participated in the meeting to review the marketing and distribution of petroleum products in these states.

The states of Jammu and Kashmir, HP and Uttarakhand are hilly regions where the logistics of reaching essential petroleum products continues to be a major challenge. Despite this, PSU oil marketing companies have set up an extensive infrastructure in these states.