GAIL (India) Ltd. has achieved a significant milestone by completing the Mumbai-Nagpur Natural Gas Pipeline (MNPL), a 694-kilometer trunkline primarily constructed within a narrow, three-meter-wide utility corridor along Maharashtra's Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway. This accomplishment marks the first instance of a high-capacity pipeline being integrated into a dense transport corridor in India. This project aligns with the PM-GatiShakti framework, showcasing the strategic advantage of combining transport and energy infrastructure.
The MNPL presented unprecedented engineering and logistical challenges. Unlike conventional pipelines that typically require a 20-30 meter workspace, GAIL had to install a 24-inch high-capacity gas line within the space of an average footpath. This required close coordination with the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which was managing the expressway construction across multiple packages. Approximately 675 km, or 96%, of the pipeline runs within this constrained utility strip, fundamentally influencing the engineering design and construction methods employed.
One of the most significant engineering feats was overcoming the challenging terrain of the Western Ghats, particularly near Fugale hill. The area presented elevation differences exceeding 200 meters, along with rocky slopes, dense forests, and heavy monsoon rains. To address these challenges, engineers combined horizontal directional drilling (HDD) with a thruster system, a technique rarely used in India, to safely pull nearly a kilometer of pipeline through a steep profile. During the monsoon season, slope stabilization, dewatering, and other protective measures were implemented to ensure safety and minimize rework, demonstrating disciplined project execution under extreme conditions.
The pipeline boasts a capacity of approximately 16.5 million standard cubic meters per day and features bi-directional flow capability. It is nearing full operational completion and is expected to significantly expand access to natural gas, stimulating economic growth across Maharashtra by supporting industries and households. The successful completion of the MNPL sets a new precedent for infrastructure development in India, validating the PM-GatiShakti approach and demonstrating the feasibility of utilizing expressways as utility corridors to streamline infrastructure deployments.
GAIL has also been actively involved in other pioneering projects, including the commissioning of India's first Small Scale LNG (SSLNG) Skid at Vijaipur, which demonstrates the potential of SSLNG technology in connecting isolated sources and consumers to the natural gas supply chain. Furthermore, GAIL is committed to reducing its environmental impact and has developed a Net Zero strategy to achieve a 100% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035 and a 35% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2040. The company has also successfully tested hydrogen blending in Indore and commissioned the country's first 10 MW Green Hydrogen electrolyzer in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh.
