Tue Oct 14 18:11:31 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Work has resumed on the Kochi-Salem steel gas pipeline project in India after being stalled in 2014 due to land acquisition issues. The project, a joint venture between BPCL and IOCL costing ₹600 crore, aims to connect dispatch terminals in Kochi with receipt terminals in various cities including Coimbatore, Erode, and Salem. The pipeline runs along State Highways and district roads to minimize private land involvement. While the line from Kochi to Palakkad has already been completed, the remaining sections in Tamil Nadu, connecting Palakkad to Coimbatore and Coimbatore to Salem, are now underway.
**News Article:**
**Kochi-Salem Gas Pipeline Project Revived After Years-Long Delay**
**CHENNAI, INDIA – October 14, 2025** – Construction on the long-awaited Kochi-Salem steel gas pipeline has recommenced after a prolonged hiatus dating back to 2014. The ₹600 crore project, a joint undertaking between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), aims to establish a crucial energy artery spanning 429 kilometers across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The pipeline will connect dispatch terminals at the Kochi Refinery and the Puthuvypeen import terminal to receipt terminals (RT) located in Udayamperoor, Palakkad, Coimbatore, Erode, and Salem LPG plants.
“Work is progressing rapidly,” stated an official source familiar with the project. “The line from Kochi has already been completed and commissioned up to Palakkad in October 2023.”
The project was initially stalled due to challenges in acquiring land. However, after extensive discussions with relevant authorities, the pipeline’s route was adjusted to primarily follow State Highways and district roads, minimizing the need to acquire private land.
The ongoing phases of the project are focused on Tamil Nadu, with the third phase involving the construction of a 63-km, 12-inch pipeline connecting the Palakkad RT to the Coimbatore RT. The final phase will involve a 157-km, 8-inch pipeline from Coimbatore RT to Salem RT. The completion of this project is expected to significantly enhance the region’s energy infrastructure and facilitate access to gas for industrial and domestic purposes.