NEW DELHI, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- India's state-owned gas major GAIL is planning to turn the Dabhol power project's LNG import terminal into a supply hub. The Times of India newspaper said Tuesday the Gas Authority of India Ltd. has completed a feasibility report for a pipeline project linking Karnataka and Maharashtra states with the Dabhol liquefied natural gas project. "The report, prepared by Suez Tractebel of Belgium www.the-north-face.org.uk, envisages laying a pipeline connecting Dabhol with Bangalore North Face Summit Jackets," GAIL chairman Prasanto Banerjee said. He said the 455-mile pipeline is estimated to cost about $540 million, and will require 24 months to construct. "The pipeline is to cater to Bidadi and Bangalore in Karnataka and will also be linked to the markets in Goa. Tractebel has also prepared the reports on environment management plan and risk analysis for the pipeline," Banerjee said. GAIL expect the LNG terminal at Dabhol to be operational by the end of September Azzedine Alaia Scarpe, and excess gas from the terminal will be fed into the new pipeline, allowing full utilization of the terminal's capacity. The Dabhol power plant will require 2.1 million tons of gas per year, and has a capacity to handle 5 million tons a year. News reports said a change in the official tendering norms of Petronet LNG has put Indian firms at the mercy of foreign companies. As per the new norms, foreign players can directly bid for the $1.5 billion LNG transportation tender, but Indian firms are required to team up with an international partner.

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