Government Notifies Order to Streamline Natural Gas Pipeline Development
New Regulations Aim to Boost Infrastructure and Ease of Doing Business
New Delhi, March 25 – The government has 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. This move seeks to strengthen natural gas infrastructure and improve ease of doing business across the country.The order, issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, establishes a streamlined and time-bound framework for laying and expanding pipelines. It addresses previous delays in approvals and land access, facilitating faster development of natural gas infrastructure, including in residential areas. The order takes immediate effect.
| Key Provisions | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Framework | Establishes a transparent and predictable regulatory framework for pipeline infrastructure. |
| Approval Process | Introduces time-bound approvals with deemed approval provisions to eliminate procedural delays. |
| Jurisdictional Harmonization | Creates a single, harmonized framework across jurisdictions to reduce fragmentation in permissions. |
| Levy and Charge Transparency | Eliminates arbitrary levies and charges, ensuring transparency and cost predictability. |
According to an official statement, the reform addresses longstanding challenges related to infrastructure development, regulatory uncertainty, and approval delays. It is designed to significantly improve ease of doing business by simplifying procedures, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and creating a predictable operating environment for stakeholders. The government remains committed to expanding the role of natural gas in India’s energy mix and fostering investment, innovation, and sustainability.
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