India is making remarkable strides in its energy infrastructure development with planned expansion of its natural gas pipeline network by 10,805 km. This ambitious project, approved by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aims to complement existing 24,945 km operational network, bringing total length to over 35,750 km. This expansion is a cornerstone of government’s effort to build a comprehensive national gas grid, ensuring uniform availability of natural gas across country.
Key Milestones of Pipeline Expansion
proposed extension is set to revolutionize India’s energy ecosystem by enhancing transportation capacity and accessibility of natural gas to remote regions. This is aligned with India’s commitment to adopting cleaner energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable growth.
Major Details of Expansion and Associated Initiatives
| Aspect | Details |
| Current Network Length | 24,945 km |
| Proposed Expansion | 10,805 km |
| Total Network after Expansion | 35,750+ km |
| Primary Objective | Uniform availability of natural gas across all regions |
| Related Programmes | SATAT initiative, Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme, Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy |
| Planned Completion | Phased implementation over next few years |
Uniform Energy Access through National Gas Grid
completion of national gas grid will address disparity in energy accessibility between urban and rural areas. It will also facilitate industrial growth by providing industries with a consistent supply of natural gas, which is considered an economical and environmentally friendly fuel option.
This development is expected to significantly contribute to achieving India’s energy transition goals, complementing initiatives like Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme.
Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme: Progress and Targets
In a parallel effort to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions, India is progressing towards achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025. According to records up to December 2024, ethanol blending level has reached 16.23%, compared to 14.60% in previous year. This marks substantial progress in Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme.
Key Benefits of Ethanol Blending
- Foreign Exchange Savings: Over last decade, ethanol blending has saved ₹1.08 lakh crore in foreign exchange.
- Environmental Impact: programme has led to a reduction of 557 lakh metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
- Farmer Benefits: Payments worth ₹92,400 crores have been made to farmers, promoting agricultural growth and sustainability.
India’s ethanol blending efforts are a testament to its commitment to clean energy and economic self-reliance.
Sustainable Energy Initiatives: SATAT and CBG Development
Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative has bolstered use of compressed bio-gas (CBG) as a clean energy source. As of December 2024, 80 CBG plants have been commissioned, and an additional 72 are under construction.
Future Plans for CBG:
- From 2025-26, blending of CBG in compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG) segments will be mandatory.
- Initial blending levels will start at 1%, gradually increasing to 5% by 2028-29.
SATAT initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports waste-to-energy conversion, contributing to India’s circular economy objectives.
Expansion of EV Charging Infrastructure
In its pursuit of greener energy solutions, India has also made significant advancements in electric mobility. Public sector oil marketing companies have installed 17,939 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and 206 battery-swapping stations at retail outlets across country as of December 2024. This expansion of EV infrastructure is expected to drive adoption of electric vehicles, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Enhancing Refining Capacity
India’s refining capacity is set to rise from 256.8 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to 309.5 MMTPA by 2028. This increase will result from:
- Ongoing projects at 11 public sector undertakings (PSU) refineries.
- Establishment of new greenfield refineries.
enhanced refining capacity will meet growing domestic demand and position India as a major player in global energy market.
Boosting Domestic Gas Production and Hydrocarbon Discoveries
India has made significant progress in domestic gas production, which rose from 34.45 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2022-23 to 36.44 BCM in 2023-24. Additionally, country has achieved:
- 13 hydrocarbon discoveries under Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP).
- 12 discoveries under nomination and contractual regimes during 2023-24.
These discoveries will further bolster India’s energy security and reduce dependency on energy imports.
India’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy
convergence of various initiatives—natural gas pipeline expansion, ethanol blending, CBG development, EV infrastructure enhancement, and increased refining capacity—reflects India’s holistic approach to energy sustainability. These efforts aim to:
- Reduce carbon emissions.
- Promote renewable energy sources.
- Strengthen energy security.
- Support economic growth.
Conclusion
India is firmly on track to achieving energy self-reliance through ambitious projects like India’s Natural Gas Pipeline Set to Reach New Milestone with 10,805 km Expansion and Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme. These initiatives underline government’s dedication to building a sustainable and economically robust energy ecosystem.
With integration of cleaner and renewable energy sources, India is poised to lead by example in tackling global energy and environmental challenges.
Disclaimer
information presented in this article is based on publicly available data from reputable sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to verify details independently. For updates or clarifications, please refer to official government or industry announcements.
