Chennai: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is to invest around Rs 1,100 crore in Tamil Nadu on project expansions and retail initiatives in the next 18 months, a top executive of the company said today (Dec 1, 2003).

Of this, at least Rs 430 crore would be spent on putting up a product pipeline connecting Chennai to Madurai via Tiruchirappalli with a branch pipeline from Asanur to Sankeri, N G Kannan, Director, Marketing, IOC, told reporters.

He said the initial capacity of the 526 KM pipeline would be 1.8 million tonnes per annum capable upto 2.33 million tonnes per annum. The pipeline was expected to be commissioned in 18 months ending January 2005.

IOC was also planning to put up a hydrant pipeline at the Chennai Airport for transporting aviation fuel at a cost of Rs 45 crore, he said, adding an investment of Rs 150 crore would be made for putting up an LPG import facility at Ennore port, the first in South India.

The company would be investing around Rs 150 crore on a series of retail branding initiatives in Tamil Nadu in the next 18 months. IOC planned to increase its retail infrastructure to one and half times from the present strength of 683 retail outlets to 1039 outlets in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry by March 2005.

PTI