Gas pipe dream not dead: Deora

Even though the $7.4-billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline has been a non-starter mired in pricing issues, petroleum minister Murli Deora said the Centre was pursuing the project.

Deora said in the Rajya Sabha that the problems in implementing the project would be sorted out soon. “The country’s energy needs are paramount. There is no question of (succumbing to) any external pressure as far as energy security is concerned,” he said.

“We are very sure that the pipeline project is good for India, Iran and Pakistan.”
The project has been considerably delayed as participating countries have not been able to fix the gas tariff from Iran.

Besides, the transportation tariff to be paid for wheeling the gas through the section of pipeline passing through Pakistan has not been finalised.

India wants a guaranteed supply of gas that is to be delivered at its border with Pakistan, but Tehran and Islamabad have agreed to hand over custody of the gas at the Iran-Pakistan border, he said.