Shimla, November 04, 2008:- GAIL (India) Limited and Government of Himachal Pradesh today signed a Co-operation Agreement here. The Co-operation Agreement was signed by Shri B.C. Tripathi, Director (Marketing), GAIL and Shri Manoj Kumar, Director Industries, Government of Himachal Pradesh in the presence of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and Dr. U.D. Choubey, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL, Shri. Abhay Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries), Himachal Pradesh, Shri Ajay Tyagi, Principal Resident Commissioner, Himachal Pradesh and other senior officials of GAIL and the State Government were also present on the occasion.

The Co-operation Agreement signed with the Department of Industries provides for enlisting State Level Co-operation for extension of the proposed Dadri-Bawana-Nangal natural gas pipeline up-to this region, a joint exercise for assessment of the demand potential of natural gas and allied products in the state of Himachal Pradesh and for looking into feasibility of extending the proposed Dadri-Bawana-Nangal natural gas pipeline upto Himachal Pradesh. The Gas pipeline will bring clean and environment friendly fuel to various consumers in the region, which include Industrial, domestic and transport sectors. The availability of gas in the region would herald the use of a more efficient energy resource, which will increase the competitive edge of the industries using natural gas.

Under the Co-operation Agreement, GAIL will use its technical and commercial expertise to study the various options and collate the gas demand potential of the state of Himachal Pradesh. In this regard, GAIL has already conducted a sample survey of some of industrial areas in Himachal Pradesh.

On behalf of Himachal Pradesh Government, the Department of Industries, H.P. will act as a nodal agency for

• Facilitating information pertaining to Fertilizer, Power, industrial, domestic and transport sectors in the state, which have potential to consume Gas and CNG as fuel or feedstock.
• Coordinating grant of all necessary permissions and clearance for development of gas infrastructure in the state.
• Coordinating with Government Departments for required data supply, arrangement of meetings etc.