Thursday, July 14 2005 14:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Porayar (Tamil Nadu): Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Iyer yesterday (July 13, 2005) hinted at more international pipeline projects being planned and implemented to achieve rapid economic development.

Inaugurating the 48 km long Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) pipeline project, connecting Narimanam and Kuttalam gas zones, at Memathur near in Porayar, Aiyar said that he was looking at the possibilities of accessing gas supplies, not just from Iran, but from many oil and gas rich Central Asian republics.

Appreciating the efforts of GAIL in executing the project within a record period of one year, he said gas pipelines such as this one would help in the speedy economic development of the country.

"Such pipelines will benefit not just India, but also all other participant countries," Aiyar said.

He also dwelt on his recent visit to Turkey and Romania to explore new opportunities for the Indian hydrocarbon sector.

On the recent gas find in the Krishna-Godavari basin, off the Andhra Pradesh coast, Aiyar said that it could bring in an economic revolution.