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The Petroleum ministry issued an order for a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying pipelines across India, addressing delays in approvals and access to land.
The government has issued an order to strengthen gas pipeline infrastructure amid the Hormuz disruption. (Representational Image)
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued an order to strengthen natural gas distribution infrastructure and improve access to cleaner energy amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has resulted in widespread disruptions in global energy supplies.
The ministry notified the Natural Gas and Petroleum Products Distribution (Through Laying, Building, Operation and Expansion of Pipelines and Other Facilities) Order, 2026, under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which provides a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines across the country, addressing delays in approvals and access to land.
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The order aims to facilitate the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) networks, improve last-mile connectivity, and promote a shift towards cleaner fuels for cooking, transport and industrial purposes, thereby strengthening energy security and supporting India’s transition to a gas-based economy, according to an official release.
Published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India, the order comes into immediate effect and establishes a comprehensive, transparent, and investor-friendly framework for efficient gas distribution, rapid infrastructure expansion, and equitable access to cleaner energy.
“India’s growing energy demand and evolving global energy landscape necessitate a resilient, diversified, and efficient energy system. This Order addresses longstanding challenges in infrastructure development, regulatory uncertainty, and delays in approvals, while positioning natural gas as a key transition fuel,” the government said in a release.
What Does The Order Entail?
The ministry’s order establishes a uniform framework for laying, building, operating, and expanding pipeline infrastructure, along with time-bound approvals with deemed approval provisions to eliminate procedural delays. It also implements a harmonised framework across jurisdictions to reduce fragmentation in permissions.
It also enables time-bound provision of PNG connections, improving service delivery standards, while facilitating a gradual transition from LPG to PNG in areas where pipeline infrastructure exists. It is geared towards enhanced energy security, improved ease of doing business, infrastructure expansion and a cleaner environment.
The move comes as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to Iranian retaliatory attacks has affected 90% of India’s LPG imports. “At its core, the reform is designed to significantly improve ease of doing business by simplifying procedures, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and creating a predictable and transparent operating environment for stakeholders,” the Petroleum ministry said.
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March 24, 2026, 10:51 PM IST
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