The natural gas pipeline project by GAIL India aims to extend the national gas grid to Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring a steady supply of clean energy for industrial, transport, and domestic use.

Work in Kathua and Samba districts is nearly complete, while Jammu district work will commence soon. Nearly 78 km of pipeline are being laid—37 km in Kathua, 38 km in Samba, and the remainder in Jammu—terminating at Jammu’s Ring Road, from where the city gas distribution (CGD) network will be developed. Despite delays caused by heavy rainfall in August, the project is expected to be fully completed in these districts by December 2025.

However, the Punjab stretch, a crucial link for gas supply, faces delays due to forest clearance issues, which have recently been resolved, allowing work to begin shortly. The pipeline will connect Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, promoting cleaner fuel alternatives and strengthening energy infrastructure.