GANDHINAGAR, Oct 28: The Gujarat Government has decided to set up a network for distributing natural gas, which will be implemented by the state Petroleum Corporation Ltd.The government has also accepted in principle Reliance Telecom Ltd's proposal for the `right of way' to lay high-quality fibre cables along the state highways for an ``information corridor'' proposed to be created by the company across the state.Reliance will have to pay token fees to the government for obtaining the `right of way' for laying the cables.The government has also approved an ambitious mass-rapid transit system (MRTS) proposed to be introduced in Ahmedabad and has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for carrying out a detailed pre-feasibility study of the project.All these important decisions were taken at a marathon three-hour meeting of the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) presided over by Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel here on Monday. At the meeting, Patel directed officials to give a final shape to the draftagenda by December-end.The Chief Minister said the gas grid network will provide a link between industrial users and the light natural gas (LNG) terminals at Pipavav, Dahej, Hazira and Maroli, which will not only ensure effective distribution of gas among its users, but also help check haphazard use of gas. A gas grid legislation will also be enacted for this purpose.The projected demand of gas in the state will be about 38 million cubic metres by 2002 AD, as against the present availability of a meagre seven million cubic metres. The import of more LNG by the private sector will be encouraged to meet the demand-supply gap.After the meeting, S K Shelat, economic advisor to the Chief Minister, told reporters that bids for carrying out a pre-feasibility study on the proposed multi-crore mass-rapid transit system project for Ahmedabad would be invited shortly. The study on the proposed joint-venture project will be completed in six months.Shelat said plots of land around Ahmedabad would be developedon commercial basis to partially meet the expenses. Amusement parks, kiosks, hotels, picnic spots and so on were proposed to be created in the private sector. A consultancy firm called RITES had conducted a study on the project about 10 years ago, but it related to only a circular train aspect.However, four options, including circular railway, tram, raised railway and tube, will be covered under a pre-feasibility study to be conducted afresh, he pointed out.
