The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) authorised around 1,800 km of new LPG pipeline infrastructure at an estimated investment of ₹7,000 crore. The expansion will strengthen India’s energy security while significantly increasing the country’s LPG transportation capacity. Once completed, the projects will expand the PNGRB-authorised common carrier LPG pipeline network from approximately 7,700 km to 9,500 km—an increase of nearly 23.5%.
LPG Pipeline Network to Expand Across Six States
The new pipeline infrastructure will span Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Goa. India imports most of its bulk LPG through coastal locations. Therefore, efficient inland transportation is essential to ensure reliable supply across the country. The latest pipeline projects will help address this requirement while strengthening the overall energy infrastructure. PNGRB said the new authorisations build on the earlier approval of the Kandla-Gorakhpur LPG pipeline, which, at around 2,757 km, is the longest LPG pipeline in the country.
Three Major LPG Pipeline Projects
The newly authorised projects include three major pipelines Cherlapally-Nagpur LPG Pipeline: 556 km; Jhansi-Sitarganj LPG Pipeline: 611 km and Shikrapur-Goa & Hubli LPG Pipeline: 633 km. GAIL (India) Limited will develop these projects. Consequently, the expanded network will improve the movement of LPG from import terminals and other supply points to consumption centres across the country.
Safer and More Efficient LPG Transportation
The expansion will also reduce India’s dependence on LPG tank trucks for primary transportation to bottling plants. According to PNGRB, pipeline transportation offers a safer, more economical and environmentally sustainable alternative to road-based LPG movement.
Strengthening India’s Energy Security
Beyond transportation efficiency, the new LPG pipelines will play an important strategic role in strengthening India’s energy security. PNGRB has been promoting the elimination of primary LPG movement by road to bottling plants. An extensive pipeline network can provide greater resilience as India continues to depend significantly on imported LPG. Moreover, pipelines can function as a line-pack storage system, allowing LPG to remain within the network while maintaining continuous product movement. This capability can improve supply reliability and help the country respond more effectively to supply disruptions, emergencies and periods of high demand. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, with the latest approvals, India is set to build a larger, safer and more resilient LPG pipeline network, further strengthening the country’s energy infrastructure.
