GAIL’s Rs 7,000 Cr LPG Pipeline Expansion Gets PNGRB Nod
By Business Desk
PNGRB approves GAIL’s Rs 7,000 crore investment for 1,800 km LPG pipeline expansion, boosting India’s network by 24% to 9,500 km. Enhancing energy security and logistics.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has approved a significant expansion of India’s common-carrier LPG pipeline network. This authorization allows GAIL (India) to construct approximately 1,800 km of new pipelines, a project requiring an estimated investment of Rs 7,000 crore.
This initiative will increase the nation’s LPG pipeline infrastructure by nearly 24%, boosting its total length from 7,700 km to around 9,500 km. The expansion aims to strengthen energy security and optimize logistics across the country.
Key Expansion Metrics
- Investment: Rs 7,000 crore
- New Pipeline Length: Approximately 1,800 km
- Network Increase: Nearly 24%
- Total Network Post-Expansion: Around 9,500 km
The primary objectives behind this substantial infrastructure upgrade are multifaceted. It seeks to reduce the current reliance on road transportation for LPG, thereby enhancing overall road safety.
Furthermore, the shift from road to pipeline transport is expected to significantly lower logistics expenses and mitigate carbon emissions. These benefits underscore pipeline transportation as a globally recognized efficient method.
New Pipeline Projects Detailed
- Cherlapally-Nagpur Pipeline: 556-km, connecting Telangana and Maharashtra.
- Jhansi-Sitarganj Pipeline: 611-km, linking Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- Shikrapur-Goa-Hubli Pipeline: 633-km, spanning Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.
These new pipelines will bolster the inland transportation network, crucial for moving imported LPG from coastal supply points to various regions across India. The PNGRB highlights pipeline transport as the safest, most economical, and environmentally sustainable option for LPG.
The expansion is vital for improving supply reliability and building resilience against potential disruptions, especially considering India’s considerable dependence on imported LPG. This strategic move reinforces the nation’s energy supply chain.