Mukesh seeks MHA help to expedite visas

NEW DELHI: Keen that the Reliance pipeline project for transporting gas from Krishna-Godavari basin to Gujarat keeps its 2009 deadline, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani has stepped in to expedite visa clearance for the nearly 1,800 Chinese technical executives it recently hired to lay the pipeline.

The Reliance chief called on home minister Shivraj Patil on Monday in this regard. This was preceded by a preliminary discussion with home secretary V K Duggal on visa facilitation for the Chinese techies who are to start work soon.
The hitch to immigration of these Chinese skilled workers arises from the fact that security considerations clearly prevent Indian companies from hiring foreign labour, particularly from China, on a large-scale.

However, given Reliance’ eagerness to have the Kakinada-Bharuch pipeline in place by ’09, Mr Ambani, said sources, on Monday sought MHA’s assistance to expedite visa clearances for the Chinese workers. According to sources, the Union home ministry has assured Reliance of co-operation but has asked it to submit full project details for faster immigration clearance.

RIL recently hired around 1,800 Chinese workers to bring in the technical expertise needed to lay the nearly 1,400-km pipeline. Outsourcing of technical experts was done by entering into a contract with China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Corporation (CPPE) for laying the majority 1,000-km stretch of the pipeline.

The Chinese engineers are expected to provide the necessary skills for the job, that too within the tight deadline Reliance has set for the project. When complete, the pipeline will transport 40 million standard cubic metres of gas a day. Incidentally, Gail too has employed Chinese skilled workers for laying pipes for the Dahej-Uran project connecting the western region.