By Rishi Ranjan Kala
Copyright thehindubusinessline
The execution of state-run GAIL’s Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline project (MNJPL), which is part of the National Gas Grid (NGG), has been delayed and is now expected to be commissioned by December 2025. It was earlier scheduled to be completed by September 2025.
The decision to revise the target date was approved by the GAIL’s Board of Directors in a meeting held on Wednesday. The pipeline is categorised as a high impact project under PM GatiShakti National Master Plan initiative, the country’s largest gas utility said.
The 1,707 km natural gas pipeline project is passing through Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha and will ensure availability of clean fuel and cater to the demands of city gas distribution (CGD) and industrial sector.
Sectoral regulator, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has also identified 17 Geographical Areas (GAs) covering 60 districts along this pipeline network, GAIL added.
As of now, pipeline construction has been completed in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. In Maharashtra, project execution is in its final stages and only 11 km of pipeline construction is remaining out of the total 1,707 km. Furthermore, 1,440 km of pipeline is ready for gas-in.
With construction work nearing completion in Maharashtra, GAIL (India) anticipates full commissioning of the MNJPL project by December 31, 2025.
In FY25, GAIL commissioned around 277 km of pipeline under the National Gas Grid and undertook lowering works over 717 km of pipeline length.
The notable projects under execution include the Durgapur–Haldia and Dhamra–Haldia sections of JHBDPL, the Srikakulam–Angul spur pipelines, the Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda corridor, the Krishnagiri–Coimbatore section of KKBMPL and the Gurdaspur–Jammu pipeline, it said in its annual report for FY25.
GAIL’s Board has also approved the proposal to double the capacity of the Jamnagar-Loni Petroleum Product (LPG) Pipeline (JIPL) from 3.25 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 6.5 mtpa.
The move is part of the Maharatna company’s strategy for business growth, considering India’s consumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is on the rise, particularly as the CGD infrastructure in the country expands.
The project completion schedule is 36 months from the PNGRB authorization of July 23, 2025. An investment of ₹5,363.88 crore will be required for the project, which will be met through a combination of debt and equity. This project will cut down on CO₂ emissions significantly and reduce road mishaps and leaks.
Published on September 25, 2025
