To meet the growing energy needs and feed the country’s power, fertiliser and steel plants in an environmental-friendly and affordable way and for sustainable supply of fuel, India must push for a trans-national deep-water gas pipeline from Iran, passing through Oman but bypassing Pakistan, according to an Assocham study released recently.
The study reiterated, “An undersea pipeline between Iran-Oman-India will connect the producers and consumers of gas directly. This will bypass all geo-political issues. It will also lead to more gas-to-gas competition and creating a genuine gas hub, as in Europe/USA."
Assocham has conducted a study titled ‘Middle East to India Deep Water Pipeline – A Favourable Situation for All’.
It further said, “India can finally connect to Gulf region, where more than 7 million Indians reside.”
The study emphasised that India must take a stronger and more pro-active approach to build a least one trans-national gas pipeline in the next five years.
It is worth mentioning that during 2016-17, India consumed 55,534 million standard cubic metres (mscm) of natural gas of which 24,686 mscm was imported. India is now the fourth largest natural gas importer, mainly from Qatar.
Giving impetus to the benefits entailed by Indian companies, the study said, “There are several Indian steel plates and steel pipe manufacturers and construction companies which will gain sizeable business from the proposed pipeline, to promote/boost 'Make in India' and 'Skill India' campaigns.”