Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the 450-km natural gas pipeline between Kochi in Kerala to Mangaluru in Karnataka. Speaking at the event, he set out his government's energy roadmap, envisaging more than double the share of cleaner natural gas in the consumption basket, diversifying sources of energy, connecting the nation with one gas pipeline grid and bringing affordable fuel to people and industry. He stressed that a gas-based economy is crucial for Atmanirbhar Bharat and work is being done in the direction of 'One Nation, One Gas Grid'.The pipeline grid, the Prime Minister emphasized will not only help improve clean energy access, but also aid in the development of city gas projects. 

About Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline

• This is to be noted that the 450 km long pipeline has been built by GAIL (India) Ltd and has a transportation capacity of 12 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per day. 
• It will carry natural gas from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regasification Terminal at Kochi (Kerala) to Mangaluru (Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka) while passing through Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. 
• However, Laying of the pipeline was an engineering challenge as the route of the pipeline necessitated it to cross water bodies at more than 100 locations. This was done through a special technique called horizontal directional drilling method.

Significance

• According to the PMO, the total cost of the project was about Rs 3000 crore and its construction created over 12 lakh man-days of employment.  
• The pipeline will supply environment friendly and affordable fuel to  households, transportation sector and to commercial and industrial units across the districts along the pipeline.  
• Consumption of cleaner fuel will help in improving air quality by curbing air pollution. 

Major Gas Pipeline Projects

• Jagdishpur – Haldia/Bokaro – Dhamra Pipeline Project (JHBDPL) & Barauni- Guwahati Pipeline project (BGPL): It is supporting the revival of 3 Fertilizer Plants namely located at Gorakhpur, Barauni and Sindri, and new Fertilizer Unit at Durgapur.
• North East Region (NER) Gas Grid: A joint venture of five (05) oil and gas CPSEs i.e. GAIL, IOCL, OIL, ONGC, and NRL named as “Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd” (IGGL) has been entrusted to develop trunk pipeline connectivity in all North Eastern States.
• Kochi-Koottanad- Bangalore-Mangalore (Ph-II) Pipeline Project (KKBMPL)
• Ennore-Thiruvallur-Bangalore-Nagapattinum– Madurai – Tuticorin Natural gas pipeline (ETBNMTPL): This pipeline will connect new Ennore LNG Terminal with various demand centers in the region.

What is One Nation One Gas Grid?

• At present about 16,788 Km natural gas pipeline is operational and about 14,239 Km gas pipelines are being developed to increase the availability of natural gas across the country.
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority to grantauthorization to the entities for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006.
• CGD network is the network of pipelines to make supply of natural gas to domestic, industrial and commercial premises and CNG stations situated in geographical area.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

• It was constituted under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.

Vision is to

• Create a vibrant energy market with rapid and orderly growth through facilitation of flow of investments into the basic infrastructure for efficient transportation and distribution of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas at minimum cost.
• Provide high level of protection of consumer interests through fair trade practices and competition amongst the entities.
• It has also been mandated to regulate the refining, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas excluding production of crude oil and natural gas.

Road Ahead

• Tremendous effort are underway to provide clean, affordable and sustainable energy but going forward there will be several challenges that we must tackle if we have to end energy poverty and in the times to come ensure energy security and citizen's well.