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Hydrogen Pipelines: Key to India’s Clean Energy Future
Articles- Jul 28,25
India is taking significant strides towards clean energy, positioning itself as a global leader in the green hydrogen revolution. Nikhil Mansukhani, MD, MAN Industries India Ltd, discusses the role of dedicated hydrogen pipelines in supporting India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and driving the country’s transition to sustainable energy.
India is steadily positioning itself as a front-runner in clean energy, with green hydrogen playing a pivotal role in this transition. Produced using renewable sources like solar and wind, green hydrogen offers a powerful alternative to traditional fossil fuels. It can power industries, transport systems, and support exports, all while reducing emissions.
To lead this shift, the Indian government has launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The goal is to generate 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, backed by 125 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. With over Rs 10.6 trillion in planned energy investments, this mission is not just a policy vision but a national commitment already in motion.
Turning plans into action
Under the SIGHT programme (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition), the government has already approved green hydrogen production agreements totalling 412,000 tonnes a year. It’s also working to build domestic manufacturing capacity for electrolysers by 2026.
This momentum is not just about cleaner energy, it’s also about jobs and savings. The mission is expected to create 6 lakh green jobs, reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuel imports, and avoid 50 million tonnes of CO? emissions each year.
Why line-pipe infrastructure is central to hydrogen’s growth
Green hydrogen is emerging as a significant clean fuel for the future of India. But while production is ramping up in renewable-rich regions, the real challenge lies in transporting it efficiently to where it’s needed—industrial hubs, ports, refineries, and fuelling stations. Unlike traditional fuels, hydrogen isn’t well-suited for truck-based transport over long distances. Pipelines are the most reliable and cost-effective way to move hydrogen at scale.
However, hydrogen is not the same as natural gas. It's lighter, more reactive, and can weaken metal pipelines over time by causing brittleness. This makes India’s existing gas pipeline network, which spans about 33,000 km, unsuitable for large-scale hydrogen use without significant modifications. At most, it can support limited blending of up to 3% hydrogen by volume, but this is a stopgap, not a long-term solution.
To unlock hydrogen’s full potential, India requires a new generation of dedicated pipelines, constructed with special materials and coatings capable of safely handling hydrogen’s unique properties. Encouragingly, this shift has already begun. A very few Indian manufacturers have developed hydrogen-ready pipelines, and these have been certified by RINA Consulting – Centro Sviluppo Materiali S.p.A., confirming their safety and viability for hydrogen transport.
This direction is strongly supported by leading national agencies. Research from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), GAIL, NTPC, and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) all point to the same conclusion: purpose-built pipelines are the most effective, scalable, and safe way to transport hydrogen over long distances, far outperforming alternatives like compressed gas tanks or repurposed grid systems.
Building and using the network: Where India stands today
India’s efforts toward green hydrogen production are showing tangible results. However, the greater challenge lies in transporting it swiftly, safely, and over long distances.
Right now, India already has around 24,000 km of gas pipelines connecting key industrial regions. Major routes like Hazira–Vijaipur–Jagdishpur (HVJ), Dabhol–Bengaluru, and JHBDPL play a vital role in supporting industries today. While these pipelines can help with limited hydrogen use for now, they weren’t built to handle hydrogen’s unique properties in the long run.
That’s why, in 2024, the government began developing a plan to construct hydrogen-specific pipelines across the country. These new pipelines will be built from scratch using materials that can safely carry hydrogen over long distances without leaks or damage.
And the timing couldn’t be better, because demand is growing fast. For example, Indian Oil’s refinery in Panipat is switching from regular (grey) hydrogen to green hydrogen and aims to produce 10,000 tonnes every year. Another major project in Mulapeta plans to convert green hydrogen into ammonia for export, using around 180,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually.
And it doesn’t stop there. The transport sector is also preparing for a hydrogen-powered future. Fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are being explored for long-haul use, where batteries may fall short. For these sectors to thrive, a reliable and scalable hydrogen supply is non-negotiable, and dedicated pipelines will make that possible.
Strong policies and industry support
The government is driving the Green Hydrogen Mission with strong financial and policy backing. For FY 2024–25, budgetary support has been significantly increased to Rs 6 billion, up from Rs 1 billion the previous year. Incentives are being rolled out to boost renewable energy capacity, electrolyser production, and the development of hydrogen pipelines. Several states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, are offering additional benefits such as subsidies, discounted electricity tariffs, and GST reimbursements to attract industry participation.
At the same time, industry players are ramping up their initiatives. GAIL is expanding its gas pipeline network, currently 16,000 km, with plans to add 4,000 km more, and exploring dedicated hydrogen corridors. Furthermore, India’s Kochi and Mulapeta green hydrogen projects—backed by investments of Rs 185.42 billion and Rs 100 billion respectively—are emerging as flagship models for integrated production and export infrastructure. Major companies like IOCL, Tata, BPCL, Reliance, and Adani are investing across the hydrogen value chain, from green energy generation to pipeline-grade steel production.
The road ahead
India’s green hydrogen mission is about much more than clean energy. It’s about building a resilient, self-reliant, and future-ready economy. But to unlock the full potential of this clean fuel, we must match production efforts with bold infrastructure development.
And at the heart of this infrastructure lies something simple yet powerful: the pipeline. These steel arteries will connect regions, power industries, enable exports, and most importantly, move India toward a cleaner and more sustainable future. Because producing green hydrogen is just the beginning. Delivering it where it’s needed, that’s what will shape the real revolution.
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).
India’s Hydrogen Mission
Nikhil Mansukhani
MAN Industries
Green Energy Revolution
Pipeline Infrastructure
Green Hydrogen
Hydrogen Pipelines
Atmanirbhar Bharat
National Green Hydrogen Mission
Renewable Energy
Hydrogen Infrastructure
Clean Energy
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