New Delhi: GAIL (India) Limited has announced that its 1,707-kilometre Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda Pipeline (MNJPL) is on track for commissioning by December 31, 2025, following years of delays and a significant cost escalation. The announcement came after the company’s board approved the revised commissioning schedule in a meeting held on September 24.
The pipeline—spanning Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha—has been classified as a high-impact infrastructure project under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, aimed at enhancing multi-modal connectivity across India.
Major Construction Completed; Final Work Underway in Maharashtra
According to GAIL, pipeline construction has been fully completed in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, with only a remaining 11-kilometre stretch in Maharashtra yet to be laid. The company stated that approximately 1,440 kilometres of the pipeline network is already gas-in ready, signalling substantial progress toward the final phase.
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Part of India’s Expanding National Gas Grid
The MNJPL project is a critical component of India’s expanding National Gas Grid, designed to facilitate clean energy access for both city gas distribution (CGD) networks and industrial consumers in underserved regions.
As per the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the pipeline will traverse 17 geographical areas across 60 districts, boosting fuel accessibility and driving industrial growth in central and eastern India.
Delays and Cost Escalation
Despite its strategic importance, the project has suffered from multiple delays, primarily due to forest clearance and land acquisition hurdles. Originally scheduled for completion in June 2025, the timeline was first extended to September 30, and then revised again to December 31, 2025.
In June, GAIL’s board approved a cost overrun of ₹411.12 crore, increasing the project’s total capital outlay to ₹8,255.37 crore, up from the previously sanctioned ₹7,844.25 crore — a 5.24% increase.
Strategic Impact on Clean Energy Push
Once operational, the MNJPL pipeline is expected to significantly reduce reliance on polluting fuels in the four states it serves, supporting India’s broader goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix to 15% by 2030.
Looking Ahead
The final stretch of construction in Maharashtra and integration testing will be closely watched in the coming months. Once commissioned, the pipeline is likely to have a transformational impact on fuel accessibility, industrial competitiveness, and environmental sustainability across the central and eastern regions of India.
About GAIL (India) Limited
GAIL is India’s largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company, with diversified interests across natural gas, petrochemicals, liquid hydrocarbons, city gas distribution, renewable energy, and telecom. Its polymer business is a key driver of growth, focusing on high-quality and sustainable products for various industrial applications.
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