From the bustling ports of Mumbai to the industrial heart of Nagpur and the energy-rich belts of Jharsuguda, the Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline (MNJPL) is transforming the landscape of energy transportation in India. The development of this major natural gas trunk line is being led by GAIL (India) Limited.
The MNJPL spans over 1,700 km and runs across four states – Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha – connecting the western and eastern regions of the country. The pipeline has a design capacity of 16.5 million standard cubic metres per day. It plays a vital role in ensuring the availability of clean fuel for both the industrial and city gas distribution (CGD) sectors while contributing towards environmental sustainability and economic growth.
The project consists of three main segments – the Mumbai-Nagpur pipeline (Part A, 693 km), the Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline (Part B, 692 km), and the Nagpur-Jabalpur pipeline (Part C, 317 km). The project is an integral component of the national gas grid and a high-impact project under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Current progress and execution
As of September 2025, the construction of the pipeline is in the final stages. Out of the total length of over 1,700 km, nearly 1,440 km of pipeline is ready for gas-in, marking more than 84 per cent physical progress. GAIL has already achieved mechanical completion in most sections.
The Mumbai-Nagpur (Part A) segment is mechanically complete. Inspections by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation have been concluded and final permissions are awaited. The Nagpur-Jharsuguda (Part B) segment, covering Odisha and Chhattisgarh across 489 km, is also fully ready for gas-in. Only about 9 km of the 203 km pipeline in Maharashtra remains under construction, which is expected to be completed by December 2025.
The Nagpur-Jabalpur (Part C) segment covers a total length of 317 km. Of this, the pipeline work in Madhya Pradesh (255 km) has been mechanically completed and the remaining stretch of approximately 1.8 km in Maharashtra (62 km) is expected to be completed soon.
The entire Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline is expected to be progressively completed by December 31, 2025.
The revised project cost stands at Rs 82,553.7 million, marking an increase of 5.24 per cent from the originally approved Rs 78,442.5 million, mainly due to material cost escalations and additional safety and environmental compliance measures. This cost revision was carried out in June 2025 when the completion date was changed from June 2025 to September 2025.
Connecting the energy corridors
The MNJPL holds strategic importance as it links key industrial regions, ports and energy hubs. Traditionally, India’s energy transmission has largely been unidirectional. With the integration of the Adani Dhamra LNG terminal on the east coast with existing pipelines that bring gas from Dahej and Dabhol on the west coast, the project will enable bidirectional flow of natural gas.
This is currently a plan in progress and will enhance reliability, optimise pressure management and ensure uninterrupted supply even under peak demand conditions. This will revolutionise the way industries and CGD networks access natural gas.
The Adani Dhamra LNG terminal currently operates at 2.3 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) out of its total capacity of 5-6.5 mtpa and is poised to deliver regasified LNG to both GAIL and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Adani’s planned Rs 100 billion expansion will further enhance the terminal’s LNG and dry bulk handling capacity.
Driving industrial and social impact
Once operational, the MNJPL will be an important source for industries, power plants, fertiliser units and households across central and eastern India. It will ensure consistent supply of natural gas, reduce dependence on imported liquid fuels and promote the shift towards cleaner energy alternatives.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has identified 17 geographic areas covering 60 districts along this pipeline network. Through this extensive coverage, access to piped natural gas will be expanded, enabling households and businesses to benefit from cleaner, more efficient energy for domestic, commercial and transport use.
Moreover, the project directly contributes to the Indian government’s “One Nation, One Gas Grid” initiative, aiming to provide equitable access, clean energy transition and energy security across regions of the country. The government targets raising the natural gas share in India’s energy mix from about 6.7 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030.
Towards a greener future
The MNJPL is more than a physical infrastructure project – it is a symbol of India’s transition towards a cleaner, more resilient energy system. It will accelerate the adoption of natural gas and pave the way for a low-carbon economy. In alignment with India’s climate goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix, MNJPL will play a pivotal role in fostering energy efficiency, reducing pollution and improving the quality of life for millions of citizens.
As GAIL moves closer to full commissioning by the end of 2025, the MNJPL stands as a testament to India’s engineering capability, policy vision and commitment to sustainable progress.
