IOCL plans major gas pipeline investment across southern states

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) plans to invest ₹2,449 crore to develop a liquefied natural gas pipeline spanning 424.5 kilometres across southern India. The pipeline will connect the Kochi regasification terminal with Kanyakumari in Kerala and extend to Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, facilitating the distribution of regasified LNG to major consumption centres across both states.

The proposed infrastructure will have a transportation capacity of 6.84 million standard cubic metres per day (mscmd), positioning it as a significant addition to India's natural gas distribution network. The project is designed to address growing energy demand in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, two of India's most developed states with substantial industrial and consumer bases.

The Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi corridor is strategically important for IOCL's expansion plans in South India. By establishing direct pipeline connectivity from the Kochi terminal to demand centres in both states, the company aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of LNG supplies to industrial units, power plants, and domestic consumers in the region.

The investment underscores India's broader push to expand natural gas infrastructure as part of its energy transition strategy. With growing emphasis on cleaner fuels, natural gas pipelines are critical to meeting India's long-term energy security objectives while supporting industrial growth in southern states.