Congress Demands White Paper from Modi Government on Gas Pipeline Supply Projects after 2014

Pune: The Congress has demanded that the Central Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi release a White Paper detailing the status of gas and crude oil supply projects through closed (underground) pipelines after 2014. The demand was made by senior spokesperson of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, Gopaldada Tiwari.

Tiwari stated that during the tenure of Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA government (2004–2014), several discussions, policy initiatives and some implementations were undertaken regarding the supply of crude oil and especially natural gas through closed or underground pipeline networks.

According to him, one of the most significant and widely discussed projects at that time was the Iran–Pakistan–India (IPI) Gas Pipeline, popularly known as the “Peace Pipeline.” The proposed project aimed to transport natural gas from Iran to India through Pakistan and was expected to be about 2,700 kilometers long, potentially meeting a significant portion of South Asia’s energy requirements.

Tiwari said extensive discussions took place between 2005 and 2007 regarding the project. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had expressed a positive view about the pipeline and in 2006 stated that it would be an important initiative for the economic growth of India, Iran and Pakistan. In 2007, both India and Pakistan had also expressed their commitment to the project. However, due to international geopolitical pressures, particularly U.S. sanctions on Iran, concerns related to the nuclear deal, financial risks, and regional uncertainties, the project could not be implemented and was eventually shelved.

He further stated that if India’s foreign policy had maintained greater consistency, it could have helped sustain peaceful relations with oil-producing nations and ensured stronger energy security and faster economic development. Such stability could also have helped the country face emergency situations more effectively.

Tiwari also highlighted several key pipeline initiatives that were pursued during the Manmohan Singh government. One of them was the National Gas Grid concept, under which the then Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy in 2012 announced a plan to establish a 30,000 km long national gas pipeline network to distribute natural gas across the country.

Another important project was the Dabhol–Bangalore Gas Pipeline, approximately 1,000 km long and costing about ₹4,500 crore, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2013. The project aimed to supply natural gas from Maharashtra to Karnataka.

In addition, domestic pipeline networks operated by companies such as GAIL and Reliance Gas were expanded, which helped improve gas supply in both eastern and western parts of India.

Regarding crude oil transportation, Tiwari noted that India largely imports crude oil through sea routes via tankers, but several internal pipelines such as the Salaya–Mathura pipeline and the Paradip–Haldia pipeline were expanded to transport crude oil to refineries within the country. While large international crude oil pipeline projects were not a major focus at that time, several significant initiatives related to natural gas pipeline distribution were undertaken.

Tiwari alleged that although many of these projects were proposed or initiated during the UPA government, further expansion and development were expected in the subsequent years. However, according to him, progress on such initiatives has not been adequately communicated after 2014.

Therefore, the Modi government should issue a comprehensive White Paper explaining the progress, status and implementation of these proposed pipeline projects, Tiwari demanded.