WFH is a short-term fix. How 3 fuel pipelines can secure India in the long term

The war in the Middle East has triggered a global fuel crisis, and PM Narendra Modi has called for fuel conservation. While WFH is a short-term fix, these three long-delayed pipeline projects could strengthen India's energy security and reduce dependence on volatile sea routes and imported oil.

The world is grappling with a fuel crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East, causing a shortage of petrol, diesel, and LPG that is unprecedented. While India has absorbed the price shocks relatively well and domestic fuel prices have not risen drastically, the situation remains a matter of concern, as there appears to be no end in sight to the war waged by the US and Israel on Iran, which has resulted in the dual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

As global oil prices rise due to the conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people to save fuel by working from home, holding virtual meetings, and using petrol and diesel judiciously. These steps can help in the short term, but India's heavy dependence on imported oil is an old problem.

For decades, India has been exploring long-term solutions through big pipeline projects. Many of these ideas, such as the Oman-India Deepwater Pipeline, the India-Sri Lanka oil pipeline, and the TAPI gas pipeline, were first discussed or even agreed upon in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, they got delayed due to geopolitics, high costs, and other challenges.

The latest fuel crisis has brought these old projects back into focus. With India importing nearly 85-90% of its crude oil, these pipelines are now being seen as important unfinished projects that could finally help the country reduce its vulnerability to global chokepoints.

While the PM Modi's appeal, aimed at reducing import dependence and easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves, might be a temporary measure, India requires structural solutions to ensure long-term energy security. If implemented successfully, these projects could offer a more lasting answer to recurring fuel crises.

Importing nearly 85-90% of its crude oil needs, India remains highly exposed to global supply shocks. Here's a look at the three key pipeline projects in detail that are seen as potential strategic alternatives to volatile sea routes and tanker shipments.

1. OMAN-INDIA DEEPWATER PIPELINES, AN UNDERSEA ROUTE

One of the most ambitious proposals is the Oman-India Deepwater Multipurpose Pipeline (OIDMPP). Discussions on this project began in the early 1990s. The 1,600-km pipeline would run along the seabed from Ras Al Jifan in Oman to Porbandar in Gujarat, at depths reaching up to 3,500 metres in sections.

Designed primarily to transport natural gas, the pipeline would bypass land borders and politically sensitive regions. It offers a direct, secure route that could deliver gas at a lower cost than imported LNG, potentially $2-3 cheaper per million British thermal units (BTU). Estimates suggest the project could cost around $5-6 billion and supply significant volumes of gas over two decades.

Notably, Oman is one of India's most important untapped strategic partner in the Gulf.

In the current environment of high global energy prices and disrupted shipping lanes, the project is gaining renewed attention.

Defence expert and senior journalist Sandeep Unnithan on Monday posted on X, Talks on the 1,600 km Oman India deep-water pipeline project (OIDMPP) have been on since the 1990s. Ras Al Jifan to Porbandar. Laid on the seabed 3500 m below. Time to 'step on the gas' with this project."

Unlike LNG tankers that must navigate chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, this undersea pipeline would provide a more stable and predictable supply.

While technical feasibility studies were completed years ago, the project has yet to move into construction. Its revival could help India diversify gas imports and shield itself from frequent international price spikes.

2. INDIA-SRI LANKA OIL PIPELINE, A REGIONAL LINK

A more immediate and practical project under discussion is the India-Sri Lanka cross-border oil pipeline. Talks for this project were revived in 2026, involving India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On April 19, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake discussed the proposed India-Sri Lanka cross-border oil pipeline during a meeting in Colombo.

The proposed pipeline would connect Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka's strategic Trincomalee Tank Farm and later extend to Colombo. It would carry multiple petroleum products and support the development of Trincomalee as a major regional energy hub with storage, bunkering, and refining facilities.

For India, this pipeline offers several clear benefits.

Firstly, it creates a short, secure route for fuel supplies, reducing dependence on longer and more expensive sea voyages that are exposed to global disruptions. It would allow India to utilise Trincomalee's large natural harbour for strategic storage, improving supply reliability during crises.

The project also brings in UAE investment and expertise while strengthening energy cooperation with a close neighbour. By enabling easier movement of refined products, it could help stabilise domestic fuel availability and moderate price volatility for Indian consumers. Officials view it as an important "energy bridge" that enhances both energy security and bilateral ties.

3. MIRED IN POLITICAL HURDLES: THE TAPI GAS PIPELINE

The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline is the project that has seen the most physical progress recently, yet its full realisation remains uncertain.

Stretching 1,814 km, TAPI aims to bring up to 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year from Turkmenistan's massive Galkynysh field to South Asia. The Turkmen section (around 214 km) has been completed. In Afghanistan, construction has advanced under Taliban security guarantees.

In 2024, Afghanistan said that work would begin on a $10-billion gas pipeline. As of mid-2026, roughly 40-50 km of pipeline have been laid towards Herat city, with more route preparation of over 120 km underway, according to Kyrgyzstan-based news outlet, The Times of Central Asia.

Afghan authorities hope to complete the Herat segment by the end of 2026, according to TOLO News.

However, significant challenges lie ahead of Afghanistan.

The pipeline must pass through Pakistan before reaching India, and that critical stretch has seen almost no progress.

Even if gas reaches the Pakistan-India border, sustained supply would depend on stable political arrangements, something New Delhi has historically found unreliable.

While TAPI could bring transit revenue to Afghanistan and diversify energy sources for Pakistan, the trust deficit across the India-Pakistan leg makes full implementation unlikely in the near future.

PM Modi's call for conservation is a prudent immediate response, reminiscent of measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic. But such steps alone cannot address India's structural dependence on imported energy.

The Oman-India deepwater pipeline, the India-Sri Lanka oil link, and TAPI pipeline represent different paths toward the same objective. The first two projects carry relatively lower geopolitical risk, but TAPI faces formidable political barriers. Whether these projects can actually turn into reality will depend a lot on geopolitics, and the partners themselves. If they become a reality, the pipelines will help India avoid chokepoints.

- Ends