GAIL's Green Claims: Can world's longest LPG pipeline truly cut carbon

Madhya Pradesh will soon be connected to the world’s longest LPG pipeline. The 2,805-kilometer pipeline, stretching from Kandla in Gujarat to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, is over 90% complete and will significantly improve LPG distribution nationwide.

Part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s energy project, the pipeline aims to provide liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to key cities in Madhya Pradesh—Indore, Bhopal, and Ujjain. This will reduce carbon emissions and eliminate reliance on tanker trucks, streamlining energy distribution. The initiative will contribute to India’s climate goals by promoting cleaner energy sources.

Madhya Pradesh to get longest LPG pipeline

The pipeline project, which began in February 2019 with Prime Minister Modi laying the foundation stone in Gorakhpur, is now in its final stages. Over 90% of the construction is complete.

“The project is nearing completion, and LPG will soon be supplied through the pipeline, replacing the current tanker-based system,” an official said.

Once operational, the pipeline will provide LPG to major cities in Madhya Pradesh, including Indore, Bhopal, and Ujjain. Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, and Indian Oil are expected to operate bottling plants to supply these cities.

"The state's progress is significant, and this project is a big gift for the people of Madhya Pradesh," said Dr. Rajendra Shukla, Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

The pipeline will improve LPG access in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, benefiting over 340 million people across 45 districts. The pipeline will directly connect 22 bottling plants, enhancing LPG distribution, particularly in rural areas where it has been less accessible.

The pipeline will source its supply from LPG import terminals at Kandla, Dahej, and Pipavav in Gujarat, along with refineries like IOCL's Koyali Refinery and BPCL's Bina Refinery.

“This project will significantly reduce transportation time and improve LPG accessibility for low-income households in remote areas where solid fuels like wood are still used for cooking,” said a spokesperson from Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), the state-run entity overseeing the project.

The project promises significant investments in Madhya Pradesh. GAIL is investing Rs 50,000 crore into the state for the LPG pipeline initiative, which will create new jobs and foster infrastructure development.

“The state is progressing rapidly, and GAIL’s investment will play a key role in that growth. This project demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring cleaner, more accessible energy for all,” emphasized Dr. Rajendra Shukla.

Timelines and delays

Initially, the project was targeted for completion by the end of 2023, but delays due to COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical challenges, including the Ukraine war, have pushed the timeline to March 2025.

Significant progress has been made, with much of the 620-kilometer pipeline in Madhya Pradesh already laid. A total of 620 kilometres of the pipeline have been completed in Gujarat, and in Uttar Pradesh, 93.3% of the work is finished. The project is currently 88% complete, and March 2025 is the anticipated completion date.

Once operational, the Kandla-Gorakhpur pipeline will eliminate the need for transporting LPG by tanker trucks, a method that is both costly and environmentally harmful. This will help India reduce carbon emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources.

“The project will contribute significantly to India’s climate goals, aligning with the country’s focus on promoting green and sustainable energy solutions,” the GAIL spokesperson added.

Pipeline improves LPG access, facing challenges

While significant progress has been made, challenges remain, particularly in bringing LPG to rural, low-income families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). Although PMUY aims to replace biomass fuels with cleaner LPG, rural users are often sensitive to price hikes, which leads to lower refill rates and a return to solid fuels like wood.

India's LPG demand is projected to grow modestly by 1.5-2% this year, according to forecasts from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and market analysts such as Crisil, ICRA, and Antique Stock Broking. In 2023, LPG consumption rose by 2.9% to 28.7 million metric tons, following a 1.5% increase to 27.9 million tonnes in 2021. This growth is complemented by a 2% increase in imports, reaching 17.6 million tonnes, and a 5.6% rise in domestic production to 12.9 million metric tons, as reported by the Oil Ministry data.

However, the government remains focused on improving access to cleaner energy sources.

"The LPG demand in India is projected to grow slowly, but this pipeline project is essential to ensure every household has access to clean cooking fuel, especially in underserved areas," stated the GAIL spokesperson.

Once completed, this pipeline will transport 8.25 million metric tonnes of LPG annually, fulfilling 25% of India's total demand. It will ensure continuous supply to over 340 million people in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step toward energy security and cleaner cooking solutions for underserved regions.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

India's clean energy transition requires a delicate balancing act

Not LPG, through solar-powered cooking, India can achieve net zero!

Farmers' protest against Gail India's ethane cracker plant in Sehore 

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]. 

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.