National Gas Grid expansion accelerated to improve energy access across India

The central government has ramped up efforts to expand the nationwide gas pipeline network under the National Gas Grid initiative, aiming to enhance energy accessibility, affordability and sustainability across India.

• According to a written reply in the Rajya Sabha by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), about 34,233 km of Natural Gas Pipeline (NGPL) network has been authorised nationwide.

• As of June 2025, 25,429 km of this network is operational while another 10,459 km is under various stages of construction.

• The authorised pipeline infrastructure includes common-carrier pipelines, spur lines, dedicated pipelines and connectivity links.

• To accelerate the “One Nation, One Gas Grid” vision, the government is implementing several measures: approval of major trunk-pipeline projects; viability gap funding for low-demand regions; a unified tariff structure for pipelines; expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network; setting up LNG terminals; and granting marketing and pricing freedom for gas from deep-water, ultra-deep-water and HP/HT (high pressure / high temperature) fields.

• The push to promote bio-CNG under the SATAT programme is also part of the plan.

• The expansion is expected to deliver multiple benefits: for households — greater access to cleaner fuels such as CNG (for vehicles) and PNG (piped natural gas) for homes; for industries — stable and competitively priced gas supply, which could reduce operational costs, encourage investment and create employment; and for the environment — lower dependence on traditional, more polluting fuels, contributing to improved air quality and sustainability.

• The government says it is working closely with state governments and implementing agencies to clear bottlenecks and expedite pipeline construction across all regions.

Source: DD News