GAIL (India) has offloaded the pipe laying contract from IL&FS due to poor project progress driven on account of acute financial crisis. The Bokaro-Durgapur section (124 kms) is now re-tendered and awarded to three different contractors to expedite construction efforts for hooking up supply network to the fertilizer, city gas distribution and other industrial consumers.

Meanwhile in a separate pro-active measure taken earlier, the project consultant, Engineers India Limited was replaced by MECON for overseeing the project activities under this crucial stretch.

B C Tripathi, chairman & managing director, GAIL re-affirmed company's commitment to ensure completion of Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project, strictly within envisaged project schedule. Accordingly, Phase 2 of this project beyond Dobhi (Gaya) towards Durgapur-Haldia & Bokaro-Ranchi-Angul-Dhamra (1900 Km) is slated for progressive completion by December 2020 whereas the 750 km pipeline from Barauni to Guwahati is expected to be operational by December 2021.

Shares of the company declined Rs 0.5, or 0.15%, to trade at Rs 338.65. The total volume of shares traded was 4,328 at the BSE (9.28 a.m., Thursday).