"Indian side had appointed Ernst and Young as the financial consultants and ILF, UK, as the technical consultant for preparation of the pre-feasibility report of Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project.
The project has been found to be feasible .... The price of gas against alternate fuel prices will determine the economic viability of the pipeline project," Union minister of state of petroleum and natural gas Dinsha Patel said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Tuesday, an Asian Age report said.
India, Iran and Pakistan hope to sign a framework agreement on the project by the end of June.
Iran has given a formula for determining gas price at the Iran- Pakistan border. New Delhi is also discussing transportation tariff and transit fee to be paid to Pakistan for passage of the pipeline from its territory.
"Once these issues are decided, the price of gas at Pakistan-India border would be known and then a decision on the purchase of gas through Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project will be taken," Mr Patel said.
He said that the pipeline within Iran up to Iran-Pakistan border will be laid and operated by an agency to be nominated by Iran. "Iran has offered to sell gas at Iran-Pakistan border and all responsibilities for the safety and security of the pipeline within Iran will vest with Iran," he said.
In the Pakistan territory, out of 1,035 km, 800-kilometer pipeline will be carrying the gas for both Pakistan and India. "The safety and security for the pipeline and gas within Pakistan would be provided by the Pakistan government, for which a transit fee would be levied," he said.
Blogalaxia Tags: Pakistan,Iran,India
