The much-anticipated Barauni-Guwahati Natural Gas Pipeline remains incomplete as a crucial 2.5-km segment between Panikhaiti and Noonmati on Guwahati’s outskirts is delayed, causing widespread disruption in gas supply.

Despite a formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a year ago, GAIL has yet to commission the final stretch, stalling the rollout of piped natural gas to thousands of registered consumers. City gas distributor Purba Bharati, currently sourcing gas from Duliajan, has laid 764.95 km of MDPE and 43.108 km of steel pipelines in Kamrup Metro and Kamrup districts.

However, only 101 out of over 6,175 households with last-mile connectivity are receiving piped gas, due to the delay in the GAIL pipeline. Over 30,693 domestic consumers have registered for the service. CNG stations and expansion plans are also impacted. Although a new station is being developed at Baihata Chariali—where GAIL’s pipeline is functional - full operations await its completion. The state government has approached the Centre, but the stalled contractor work signals further delays. Originally set for completion in December 2021, the pipeline project’s cost has ballooned from Rs 3,308 crore to Rs 3,992 crore.