Kakinada, Nov 24th: Consumers of cooking gas in East Godavari would get gas through 'pipeline' at much cheaper rate from next year onwards in a phased manner. Over six lakh consumers, both domestic and commercial in Kakinada and three other towns--Pithapuram, Samalkot and Peddapuram-- in this district would get cooking gas supply through pipelines at a much cheaper rate from 2010 onwards in a phased programme as the Bhagya Nagar Gas limited, jointly owned by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, would take up the gas distribution project.

A Sectionalizing Valve (SV) station would be constructed for every 2.75 kms distance for ensuring proper and prompt supply of cooking gas to the consumers. Twenty-six such stations are planned and in case of any emergency such as fire accidents, the particular station would be sealed to prevent spread of the flames to other areas. The gas will be available at a much cheaper price than the present LPG cylinders system. District Collector Gopalakrishna Dwivedi said, piped gas would be supplied to automobile, commercial and industrial consumers also and the preliminary survey was already launched.