Pipeline Network in India | Geography Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Background Of Pipeline Transport In India

Oil and gas pipelines connect refineries with consumers and ports and storage facilities. They also connect oil fields to refineries and major consumption centers. This allows for efficient mass transportation of fuel resources within the country.

• The pipeline network in India has been expanding in recent decades to meet the country's growing demand for oil and gas. As of 2020, India had over 17,301 km of crude oil pipelines and 22,358 km of petroleum product pipelines.
• A pipeline network in India is also used to transport bulk quantities of water for industrial, agricultural, and municipal purposes. These pipelines supply raw water from reservoirs and rivers to treatment plants and treated water to end users.
• Interstate and intrastate water pipelines transport water over long distances connecting sources and points of demand. This helps supply water to arid regions and areas facing water scarcity.

Importance of Pipeline Network in India

Pipelines are long tubes that safely carry liquids and gases from one place to another. Pipeline Network in India transports oil, gas, and water across the country. This pipeline network benefits India's economy, industries, and citizens.

• The biggest benefit of the "Pipeline Network in India" is that it provides safe and reliable transport of resources like oil, gas, and water. Pipelines have fewer accidents and leakages compared to road and rail transport.
• Pipelines ensure a stable and continuous supply of resources as liquids and gases flow freely inside the tubes without interruptions. This ensures a steady oil and gas supply to refineries and industries to keep production going. The constant flow of treated water to cities to meet the daily demands of citizens. Reliable gas supply to power plants to generate uninterrupted electricity for the grid.
• Pipelines are a very cost-effective mode of transport compared to roads and railways. There is no cost to drivers and operators as pipelines use pumps to move liquids and gases. Pipelines have fewer moving parts, so maintenance needs are lower. Pipelines use comparatively less energy to transport resources over long distances.
• This keeps the cost of transporting oil, gas, and water through pipelines very low. These cost savings benefit various sectors of the economy and help keep prices of products in check.
• Compared to road and rail transport, the "Pipeline Network in India" causes much less pollution of the environment. There are no exhaust emissions from pipelines as pumps use electricity. Leakages from pipelines are much lesser compared to tankers and railway wagons. Pipelines use lesser land compared to the construction of roads and railways.
• This makes pipelines a more sustainable mode of transport which helps India achieve its environmental targets.
• Pipelines can transport resources in very large volumes and bulk. This means huge amounts of crude oil and natural gas can be supplied continuously to meet the demands of different sectors. Massive quantities of water can be transported from water sources to needy cities. Supply of petroleum products to refineries and consumers can happen in bulk without interruptions.
• This ability to continuously transport resources in huge volumes through the "Pipeline Network in India" is vital for meeting the requirements of different industries and citizens.
• By ensuring a reliable supply of resources like oil, gas, and water, the pipeline network helps conserve these resources. Due to fewer leakages, pipelines waste fewer resources than roads and railways. Continuous supply through pipelines avoids irregular supply, which can lead to wasteful practices. Resources reach industries and consumers exactly when needed due to a stable supply.
• This conservation of resources through the "Pipeline Network in India" is important for sustainable development and efficient usage of valuable resources.
• In conclusion, the various benefits of the pipeline network, like safe transport, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, resource conservation, and the ability to transport in bulk, have made it an important part of India's infrastructure. The government now needs to focus on further expansion and modernization of the network to maximize the socio-economic benefits it can deliver for the nation.

Drawbacks of the Pipeline Network in India

Though the "Pipeline Network in India" has many benefits, it also faces several challenges and drawbacks that limit its effectiveness. Some major issues faced by the country's oil, gas, and water pipeline networks are discussed below.

• One of the biggest drawbacks of the pipeline network is frequent leakages due to the corrosion of old pipelines. India's oil and gas pipeline networks suffer from high leakage rates mainly because many pipelines are old and were not built using high-grade steel. Proper anti-corrosion measures were not taken while laying the pipelines. Poor maintenance of pipelines and coating over the years.
• This corrosion of pipelines leads to cracks and holes through which valuable resources like crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas leak out. The value of oil and gas lost due to yearly leakages runs into thousands of crores. The pipelines also rupture or burst sometimes due to the buildup of pressure from corrosion, leading to bigger leakages and even fires. This wastage of resources and environmental damage from leakages and corrosion poses a big challenge to the "Pipeline Network in India."
• Delays in completing pipeline expansion projects have been very common in India. Many existing and proposed projects under the pipeline network have faced inordinate delays mainly due to problems in land acquisition for laying pipelines across different states. Delay in getting necessary clearances and permissions from various authorities. Cost overruns due to increased costs of materials, labor, and rights of way.Technical issues and difficulties in laying pipelines in hilly and forested terrain.
• These implementation delays in pipeline projects have resulted in held-up investments and led to the under-utilization of the network. They have also deprived various industries and regions of much-needed infrastructure on time.
• Oil and gas pipelines have increasingly become targets of saboteurs who try to tap the pipelines to extract oil and gas products illegally. Though pipeline theft is more common in certain areas, it is a rising threat across the network. Pipeline tapping and pilferage by criminal gangs who illegally draw oil from pipelines. Destructive attacks and explosions caused by militant and Naxal groups disrupt oil and gas supplies. Vandalism of pipeline infrastructure by anti-social elements and the local populace.
• These security threats cause waste of resources from pipelines and disrupt supplies to important sectors. They pose a serious operational challenge and increase security costs for pipeline companies.
• Despite the obvious risks, safety measures for pipelines in India are often inadequate, which makes incidents of leakages and ruptures more likely. Lack of sophisticated leak detection systems in many pipelines to immediately detect leaks. Need for proper infrastructure for emergency response in case of major pipeline ruptures. Poor compliance with safety standards due to cost-cutting and lack of monitoring.Lack of awareness among nearby communities about pipeline hazards and dos and don'ts.