India’s pipeline industry stands at the edge of its most defining transformation since natural gas first became a cornerstone of the energy mix. For decades, pipelines have powered the nation’s oil and gas economy, quietly carrying the fuels that drove industrial growth, lit up homes, and moved millions of vehicles. But the future won’t be written in oil and gas alone. As the world pivots to cleaner energy and India doubles down on its National Green Hydrogen Mission, the country’s extensive pipeline network faces a once-in-a-generation chance to reinvent itself.

Hydrogen isn’t just another fuel, but it represents the bridge between today’s carbon-intensive economy and tomorrow’s low-carbon growth. And for pipeline companies, it is more than a diversification play; it’s the gateway to long-term relevance in an energy system that is moving rapidly toward net zero. The choice is clear: evolve into the arteries of India’s hydrogen economy, or risk becoming relics of the fossil fuel era.

Why hydrogen matters for pipelines

Hydrogen is uniquely positioned as a decarbonisation vector for hard-to-abate sectors like steel, refining, fertilisers and heavy transport, where electrification alone is insufficient. Unlike trucked or seaborne carriers, pipelines offer the lowest long-term unit transport cost for high, continuous hydrogen flows. For India, where industrial demand centres are often clustered around existing oil & gas infrastructure, pipelines can unlock economies of scale, reduce logistics bottlenecks and accelerate market creation for hydrogen derivatives (ammonia, methanol, synthetic fuels).

Early market signals are already emerging. National oil companies and gas majors have moved fast to develop electrolyser projects and pilots that will create an on-site hydrogen demand and, eventually, require wider distribution networks.

The opportunity size

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) has set an ambitious goal: 5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of green hydrogen by 2030, with an initial financial commitment of about Rs 197.44 billion (about $ 2.4 billion). This funding will support the SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) program, pilot projects, R&D, and necessary infrastructure. 

The market opportunity is sizeable. India’s green hydrogen market, valued at roughly $8.78 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to over $199.22 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 41.46 per cent. Globally, the investment requirements for hydrogen infrastructure run into the hundreds of billions of dollars. For example, the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) project anticipates ~53,000 km of hydrogen pipelines by 2040, with investment estimates in the range of €80-143 billion.

Recent reports project total investments exceeding Rs 8 trillion (about $88 billion) in India’s green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030. This surge is expected to create approximately 600,000 green energy jobs, including over 2.83 lakh roles in hydrogen production, design, installation, and pipeline operations, as well as around 11,000 jobs in electrolyser manufacturing. Workforce development and skill-building, particularly for pipeline-specific roles like hydrogen plant technicians, system integration specialists, and operations heads, are emerging as critical enablers for the sector's growth and global competitiveness.

Country policies and global targets

Across the world, hydrogen is no longer a concept on the horizon; it is being built into national infrastructure plans at scale.

In Europe, the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB) initiative is driving the creation of nearly 53,000 km of hydrogen pipelines by 2040. Close to 60 per cent of this network will come from converting existing natural gas lines, while the rest will be newly constructed. The EU’s REPowerEU strategy is pushing large-scale renewable hydrogen production and imports by 2030, alongside the development of supply corridors that connect production zones to demand centres. This vision demands high-pressure, large-diameter pipelines, uniform regulatory and safety standards, and robust import and terminal infrastructure.

South Korea has laid out ambitious plans to produce 27.9 million tonnes of hydrogen annually, including 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen and 2 million tonnes of blue hydrogen, while importing 22.9 million tonnes of green hydrogen to completely phase out grey hydrogen. The government is backing this shift with extensive investments in refuelling infrastructure, tighter regulatory and safety frameworks, and a large-scale push to integrate hydrogen across power generation, transportation, and industrial applications.

Japan has taken a multi-pronged approach, combining domestic hydrogen production with clean hydrogen imports in the form of carriers such as ammonia. Strong government support underpins R&D in advanced transport materials and systems, while new infrastructure is being laid to connect ports, industrial hubs, and urban centres. Japan’s stringent pipeline standards for materials, certification, and safety are setting benchmarks for global participation.

In India, the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) has set a target of producing 5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030, supported by around 125 GW of renewable energy capacity. Policy frameworks are expanding at both the central and state levels to enable hydrogen transport through blending in gas networks, dedicated hydrogen pipelines, and pilot projects in steel, mobility, and shipping.

What this means for India’s pipeline sector

Global momentum combined with domestic policy clarity has put India’s pipeline sector at a tipping point where opportunity and challenge move hand in hand. Several growth drivers are becoming clear:

Hydrogen-compatible pipelines and blended networks: Adapting existing natural gas and city gas distribution pipelines for hydrogen blending offers a faster and more capital-efficient entry point. Over time, demand will shift toward dedicated hydrogen pipelines capable of handling higher pressures and higher purity levels. This transition will make specialised materials, coatings, welds, valves, and sealing systems mainstream requirements.

Export potential and technology leadership: India’s cost advantages in manufacturing, growing R&D ecosystem, and supportive policy environment position its companies to serve both domestic and international markets. By investing in hydrogen-embrittlement-resistant steel, advanced leak detection, and high-pressure pipeline technologies, Indian firms can supply into Europe, East Asia, and other global hubs.

Policy and incentive support: With NGHM funding, the SIGHT programme subsidies, and state-level incentives such as waived transmission charges and streamlined open access, India is de-risking hydrogen investments. For pipeline manufacturers and operators, this means greater visibility on returns and the ability to plan with confidence.

Scaling and cost reduction: As renewable energy and electrolyser capacity scale up, the cost of green hydrogen will fall. This cost curve will improve the economic viability of hydrogen pipelines. Repurposing existing infrastructure, wherever technically feasible, can offer substantial cost savings while accelerating deployment.

Challenges and mitigation: The sector must also address significant hurdles. These include material challenges such as embrittlement and weld fatigue, the development of consistent regulatory and certification frameworks, the need for long-term offtake clarity, power and water availability for hydrogen production, and a resilient supply chain for special-grade materials. Addressing these issues early will define the winners in this transition.

Conclusion

For India’s pipeline sector, and for companies such as Man Industries, hydrogen is no longer a distant sustainability goal; it has become a business imperative. Strong global demand, robust domestic policy support, and an urgent need to build infrastructure have created a unique window of opportunity. The companies that move first, investing in R&D, certifications, advanced manufacturing, and safety protocols, will not only lead India’s clean energy transition but also establish themselves as global players in the hydrogen economy.

About the author

Nikhil Mansukhani is the Managing Director of MAN Industries India Ltd. A second-generation entrepreneur, he has led MAN Industries to global recognition, notably becoming one of the first companies certified to manufacture hydrogen transport pipes after rigorous testing by RINA Consulting (Italy).