Friday, February 11 2005 19:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India expects the $ 4.5 billion India-Iran gas pipeline to be completed by 2009-end, Petroleum Secretary Sushil C Tripathi said today (Feb 11, 2005).

Tripathi said India would build strategic storages in Rajasthan or Gujarat as an insurance against disruption in supplies of natural gas through the 2775-km-long pipeline, one-fourth of which will pass through Pakistan.

New Delhi will also seek comfort from Iran in the form of commitment to supply liquefied natural gas in case supplies are disrupted, he said.

India will not partner in the construction of the pipeline and would enter into a bilateral arrangement only with Iran for taking gas supplies on its border.

"Iran would be responsible for dealing with Pakistan and insuring safe delivery of gas at our border," Tripathi said.