Exhibit 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
333-107421 and 333-107421-01 of NiSource Inc. on Form S-3, Registration
Statement Nos 333-107748 and 333-107743 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement
Nos. 333-33896 and 333-33896-01 of NiSource Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated
March 11, 2004 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an
explanatory paragraph relating to the changes in the method of accounting for
goodwill as described Notes 1H and 5, asset retirement obligations as described
in Note 5, and derivative and hedging activities as described in Note 1P, and
revenues and related costs associated with trading activities as described in
Notes 1I and 5), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of NiSource Inc.
for the year ended December 31, 2003.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 12, 2004