Pipeline Push: Work Resumes on Crucial Kochi-Salem Gas Link

After years of delays, construction has resumed on the 246-km Kochi–Salem underground steel gas pipeline, a key infrastructure project in southern India.

Part of a 429-km pipeline developed under a ₹600 crore joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), this stretch runs through the Coimbatore, Erode, and Salem districts in Tamil Nadu. Initially stalled in 2014 due to land acquisition challenges, the project was revived after a route realignment along state highways and district roads to reduce impact on private landowners.

As of October 2023, the pipeline has been completed and commissioned up to Palakkad in Kerala.

The Kochi–Salem pipeline links the Kochi Refinery and the Puthuvypeen LNG import terminal with key distribution points in Udayamperoor, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Erode, and Salem. The Tamil Nadu portion includes two key phases: a 63-km, 12-inch segment from Palakkad to Coimbatore (Phase 3), and a 157-km, 8-inch segment from Coimbatore to Salem (Phase 4). Construction is currently advancing rapidly to complete the remaining sections.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.