GAIL (India) Limited announced Tuesday that its 1,707-kilometer Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda Pipeline (MNJPL) is on track for commissioning by Dec. 31, 2025, following board approval of a revised schedule this month.

The massive project, a critical component of India’s expanding National Gas Grid, is designed to supply clean energy to city gas networks and industrial users across central and eastern India.

The MNJPL spans four states—Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha—and is classified as a high-impact infrastructure project under the government’s PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.

Construction is largely complete, with approximately 1,440 kilometers already "gas-in ready." Only an 11-kilometer stretch in Maharashtra remains pending completion, according to GAIL.

The pipeline, traversing 17 geographical areas, is poised to significantly enhance fuel accessibility and support industrial growth in underserved regions, according to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).  

Inaugurated in October 2023, the MNJPL is expected to help reduce reliance on polluting fuels, supporting India's goal of raising the share of natural gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030.

Originally scheduled for completion in June 2025, the project faced several setbacks, including delays in forest clearances and land acquisition.  

The delays resulted in a cost overrun of 4.11 billion rupees (approx. $49.3 million), bringing the total project outlay to 82.55 billion rupees (approx. $990 million), a 5.24% increase from the initial estimate of 78.44 billion rupees.

GAIL is now closely monitoring the final construction phase in Maharashtra and subsequent integration testing to meet the revised year-end deadline.