The state-run GAIL (India) Limited has achieved a major milestone by completing over 97.6% of the Jagdishpur–Haldia–Bokaro–Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL), popularly known as the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga. This ambitious project is aimed at expanding the natural gas infrastructure in eastern and north-eastern India, thereby strengthening the country’s energy security and regional development.
The pipeline is currently supplying natural gas to:
The near completion of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline represents a significant advancement in India’s transition towards a gas-based economy, aligning with the goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix. By connecting resource-rich and industrially backward eastern regions, the project addresses regional energy imbalance and industrial disparity.From an economic standpoint, the pipeline facilitates:
Strategically, it enhances energy connectivity and integration across states, reducing dependence on more polluting fuels like coal. The project also supports India’s commitments towards environmental sustainability by promoting cleaner fuel alternatives.However, the delay due to Right of Use (RoU) issues highlights persistent challenges in land acquisition and infrastructure execution, which can affect timely completion of large-scale energy projects.Overall, the pipeline is a critical infrastructure backbone that strengthens energy security, regional development, and sustainable growth, but its full impact will depend on timely completion of remaining sections.
The Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline is a transformative initiative aimed at bridging regional disparities in energy access, promoting clean fuel adoption, and strengthening India's energy infrastructure network, particularly in the eastern and north-eastern regions.
Updated – 10 April 2025 ; 03:51 PM |