New Delhi: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) on Friday said it has initiated a major push to develop LPG pipeline infrastructure in India, with the aim of reducing bulk movement by road, improving supply security and strengthening energy logistics across the country. In a statement issued on Friday, the regulator said India’s LPG consumption in cooking and commercial use is “crucial” and stressed the need to connect ports and refineries with bottling plants “efficiently.”
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PNGRB said pipelines remain the preferred mode for transporting LPG, but “a significant volume is still carried by bulk tankers.” The regulator said it has therefore “initiated the bidding process for the development of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) pipeline infrastructure in a significant way to eliminate bulk movement to the extent possible,” describing the move as “a major stride towards strengthening India’s energy logistics network.” It added that the pipelines would improve “reliability, safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability” and could also function as storage during emergencies to address supply security crises.
The statement said proposed pipelines are intended to connect key supply sources, including refineries and import terminals, with LPG bottling plants so that evacuation and distribution can be carried out seamlessly across regions. PNGRB said it had identified nine LPG pipeline projects for development and initiated the process suo motu. It is now “in the process of concluding bid proposals of four pipelines,” with a cumulative length of about 2,500 km. The four projects listed are Cherlapally–Nagpur, Shikrapur–Hubli–Goa, Paradip–Raipur and Jhansi–Sitarganj.
PNGRB said the four pipelines alone are expected to attract a tentative investment of about Rs 12,500 crore. The regulator said the shift from road to pipeline transport is expected to reduce the risks associated with LPG movement by road, especially in light of “precedent accidents” involving such transportation.
The board said the project would cut greenhouse gas emissions by replacing tanker-based transport with a more efficient pipeline system, while also enabling “seamless, high-volume LPG movement with reduced transit time and minimal losses.” It said the pipelines would be more economical than other transport modes and would also attract investment, generate employment and support regional development.
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PNGRB said it is proposed that road transportation of bulk LPG be done away with by 2030. The regulator said the initiative reflects its commitment to “developing robust and future-ready energy infrastructure,” promoting cleaner fuels and supporting the government’s vision of accessible, efficient and sustainable energy for all.