Kanhangad: The City Gas project for supplying gas to households through pipelines is advancing at a sluggish pace.

Though connections have been provided to households, gas supply has not yet commenced in full scale. In the first phase, piped gas will be supplied to all households in Ward 4 of Ajanur Panchayat. As a preliminary measure, gas supply to around 100 houses has been initiated. Supply will be fully launched once payments are made, informed the company officialsn.

At the same time, pipeline installation in other areas was remaining suspended due to continuous rainfall. Company officials have now clarified that pipeline work has resumed following the subsiding of rain.

The pipeline originating from the gas station at Kottapara in Ambalathara reaches the Madiyan State Highway via Mavunkal–Moolkkandam–Vellikkothu, from where gas is supplied to Kasargod and Kanhangad areas. The pipeline has been laid up to Alamippally in Kanhangad. However,  pipeline installation remains pending for in around 2.50 kilometres in intermittent stretches towards Kasargod.

While the pipeline has been laid across rivers, work is yet to be undertaken across the railway track in Uduma and Pallikkara.

According to the company officials , connections can be provided in areas adjacent to the main line along the Kasargod–Kanhangad stretch by next March. Consumers in Ajanur, Pallikkara, Uduma and Chemmanad Panchayats, as well as Kasargod and Kanhangad municipalities, will receive connections.Following this,  the project will be gradually extended to interior regions.

Obstacles to road excavation for pipeline installation and adverse weather have been cited for the slow progress of the project.There are also complaints regarding opposition from local residents to road excavation. Heavy rainfall and persistent waterlogging have also caused the stalling of the project.