If one visits Arkula, on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru NH 75, one can see activities related to the construction of cofferdams to facilitate laying of a pipeline to carry re-gasified liquified natural gas (RLNG), which is of the Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline being executed by GAIL India Ltd.
The work is challenging, said Ravish, a representative of contractor T.P. Constructions, pointing to the soil embankment of the cofferdam getting eroded by the high-tide waters in the Netravathi.
“We are the third contractor, after the first two couldn’t execute the work,” he told The Hindu, exuding confidence of completing the work by end of the third week in May.
Dividing the 410m Netravathi basin stretch between Innoli (southern bank) and Arkula (northern bank) into three pieces, the contractor has built cofferdams at both the ends.
“After sinking the welded pipeline in these locations 6m below the riverbed, we will build the cofferdam in the middle of the basin to complete the line,” Mr. Ravish said. Work on RLNG terminal too is under way on the Netravathi northern bank abutting NH 75 to pump gas towards Malavoor and further where the pipeline ends near MCF.
Works on similar river crossings are under way in northern Kerala too: Bharathapuzha in Malappuram district, Chaliyar Puzha in Kozhikode district, and Chandragiri river in neighbouring Kasaragod district.
All the works are expected to be completed in a month. GAIL has to also execute two railway crossings between Arkula and MCF, one under the Mangaluru-Hassan line and the other under the Mangaluru-Mumbai line.
They too should be completed in about two months.
Thus, civil works on the entire 438-km pipeline between Kochi and Mangaluru should be completed within two months.
Thereafter, various regulatory agencies concerned with safety of gas transpiration have to inspect the line and certify the same for commissioning.
GAIL had earlier said the pipeline work should be over by September 2018; however, delay in obtaining right of way and protests from farmers delayed the project.
Green fuel
With capacity to transport 16 million cubic metres (MCM), the pipeline caters to the LNG needs of Kochi and other way-side towns before catering to Mangaluru. The line enters Karnataka at Kairangala and passes via Konaje, Arkula, and Malavoor and caters to fuel/ feed requirements of industries, including MRPL, MCF etc.