Pipeline transport network is a new arrival on the transportation map of India. Earlier it was used to transport water but these days it is used for the following:
(i) Transport of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from oil and natural gas fields to refineries, fertiliser factories and big thermal power plants is done with the help of pipelines.
(ii) Even solids can be transported through pipelines when converted into slurry.
(iii) The far inland locations of refineries and gas-based fertiliser plants could be thought of only because of pipelines.
(iv) Initial cost of laying pipelines is high but subsequent running costs are minimal.
(v) It rules out trans-shipment (during transportation) losses or delays.
Three important networks of pipeline transportation in the country
(i) From oil field in the upper Assam to Kanpur (UP), via Guwahati, Barauni and Allahabad. It has branches from Barauni to Haldia, via Rajbhand, Rajbhand to Maurigram and Guwahati to Siliguri.
(ii) From Salaya in Gujarat to Jalandhar in Punjab, via Viramgam, Mathura, Delhi and Sonipat. It has branches to connect Koyali (near Vadodara, Gujarat) Chakshu and other places.
(iii) Gas pipeline from Hazira in Gujarat connects Jagdishpur in UP, via Vijaipur in MP. It has branches to Kota in Rajasthan, Shahajahanpur, Babrala and other places in UP.
