Gas Pains: Guwahati's Long Wait for Natural Energy

The Barauni-Guwahati Natural Gas Pipeline project remains stalled, with a critical 2.5-km stretch between Panikhaiti and Noonmati on Guwahati’s outskirts still incomplete. This delay has severely disrupted the supply of piped natural gas in the region.

Despite being formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a year ago, GAIL has yet to commission the final segment, halting the delivery of gas to thousands of awaiting consumers. City gas distributor Purba Bharati, which currently sources gas from Duliajan, has laid nearly 765 km of MDPE and 43 km of steel pipelines across Kamrup Metro and Kamrup districts.

Yet, only 101 out of more than 6,175 households with last-mile infrastructure are receiving gas. Over 30,000 domestic consumers have registered for the service, while CNG station development and broader expansion plans are on hold. Although a new station at Baihata Chariali—where GAIL’s pipeline is functional—is under development, full operations hinge on project completion.

Initially slated for completion in December 2021, the pipeline’s cost has surged from ₹3,308 crore to ₹3,992 crore. Despite state government appeals to the Centre, stalled contractor work threatens further delays.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.