After national highways, it's gas pipes. Decks have been cleared for the creation of a National Gas Highway Development Authority (NGHDA) on the lines of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The proposal awaits a final nod from the Prime Minister's Office.

Using the public-private partnership route, NGHDA will lay gas pipelines across the country, carrying gas from production fields to industries. It will also carry the gas to hubs that will link households, allowing people to use gas to drive vehicles, and as cooking fuel.

"A cabinet note proposing creation of this authority has been circulated to ensure speedy formation of India's gas grid and operationalisation of a gas management system," a petroleum ministry official told HT.

The body will be financed in three ways -- budgetary allocations, levying a cess on gas, and by multilateral agencies.

"The issue of levying a cess on gas is under consideration of the PMO," the official said.

Source: Hindustan Times by Anupama Airy Gas pipeline authority soon