Gail (India) Ltd and the Jharkhand government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build a natural gas pipeline in Jharkhand. The pipeline is expected to be completed by 2019, and will travel through six districts: Bokaro, Giridih, Hazaribag, Dhanbad, East Singbhum, and Ranchi.
Commenting on the contract, Chief Minister, Raghubar Das, said: “As people take water from water tap, the consumers will take gas in similar manner after the gas pipeline work is completed.”
In order to increases pipeline safety standards, GAIL will deploy drones to monitor its projects, which will detect trespassing in project areas. A pilot will be conducted over the next few months: a drone will be flown over a pipeline project, collating any relevant data.
Ashutosh Karnatak, Director (Projects) at GAI, said: “The drone will be more accurate. It will also ultimately be more cost effective as it can help replace our foot and helicopter patrolling.”