The Centre has issued a new order to streamline the laying of pipelines for natural gas and petroleum products to bolster energy security in the country. The directive comes in the wake of mounting concerns over fuel supply disruptions triggered by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. These developments have prompted the government to accelerate fuel diversification efforts as a critical mitigation strategy for long-term energy security. The order seeks to establish a uniform framework to address persistent hurdles that have impeded pipeline infrastructure expansion. These include delays in approvals from multiple authorities, denial of access to land by consumers and resident welfare associations, exorbitant fees, and resistance from consumers in areas with existing natural gas connectivity.
The government order said that increasing natural gas supply through pipelines to domestic consumers will enable the release of LPG from areas with pipeline connectivity, making additional LPG volumes available in regions without such infrastructure. The government noted that supplying natural gas requires laying pipelines of varying capacities, originating from tap-off points on main transmission lines or from LNG storage facilities.
The order will apply to all public entities, housing societies, and authorised entities, as defined by the Petroleum Act, 1934, and licensed by the Central government. It empowers authorised entities to lay pipelines in a time-bound manner, addressing longstanding issues such as right-of-way delays and unreasonable charges imposed by local authorities.
