India's largest underground LPG storage facility completed in Mangalore; All details here
Mangalore, Karnataka – June 18, 2025: India’s largest underground LPG storage cavern, near Mangalore, has been successfully completed, marking a major step forward in the country’s energy infrastructure. Built by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), the project is now fully ready for operation following the successful completion of all testing phases on June 6, 2025.
This underground facility, with a storage capacity of 80,000 metric tonnes, is part of the Mangalore LPG Import Facility (MLIF) and is designed to support uninterrupted LPG distribution across southern and central India. The storage cavern will serve as a critical reserve in case of emergencies, such as supply disruptions during wartime or natural disasters.
As reported by The Hindu in September 2023, during a visit by the Karnataka Legislative Council Assurance Committee, HPCL officials assured that the 80,000 metric tonne LPG cavern is a safe and secure storage facility. Responding to safety concerns, HPCL General Manager (Projects) Ramana Murthy had stated that the cavern is being constructed to withstand natural disasters and external threats, with safeguards in place to prevent ecological damage as well.
He had highlighted that underground storage is inherently safer and that the design follows the successful model used in Visakhapatnam. Additional safety mechanisms, including pipeline monitoring by line walkers, have also been put in place.
What Is This Cavern and How Was It Built?
The storage cavern is carved deep within granitic gneiss rock at a depth of 141 metres below mean sea level. The engineering behind the project follows the principle of hydraulic containment, meaning the surrounding groundwater pressure helps keep the LPG sealed safely within the rock chamber. The shaft extends up to 164.5 metres, ensuring a secure vertical layout for storing and transporting gas.
The construction was carried out using the drill-and-blast method, which required high-level geological assessments and precision engineering. The entire structure includes:
An access tunnel of 1.1 kilometres to remove debris and provide entry
Two main storage caverns (Cavern S1 at 220 metres and Cavern S2 at 225 metres)
Upper and lower water curtains totalling over 13 kilometres of vertical and inclined boreholes to manage water pressure and prevent gas leakage
Operation shaft of 6.5 metres in diameter equipped with submersible LPG pumps, fill lines, and safety instruments
Connecting tunnels measuring 486.2 metres to link various compartments
Overall structure embedded in hard rock for long-term durability and safety
How Is It Tested for Safety?
Before beginning storage operations, the facility underwent a critical procedure known as the Cavern Acceptance Test (CAT). Conducted from May 9 to June 6, 2025, this test involved:
Pressurisation: Filling the cavern with air to increase pressure up to 8.310 kg/cm².
Stabilisation: Closing all vents for over 100 hours to monitor for leaks while observing pressure, geological and instrument data.
Depressurisation: Gradually reducing the pressure to ensure the structure remains airtight.
All stages were completed successfully, confirming the readiness of the facility to safely store LPG.
Strategic Importance: Why This Project Matters
The Mangalore LPG cavern is not just a storage site—it is a strategic energy reserve. In situations like war, economic blockades, or natural disasters where international LPG imports might be disrupted, this cavern can act as a buffer to ensure that supply to key regions is not cut off.
The facility will receive imported LPG via the New Mangalore Port and supply it to the Mangalore LPG Bottling Plant, and also to road and rail tankers. A network of cross-country pipelines will further carry the gas to Mysore, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, ensuring smooth distribution, a report in Economictimes.in stated.
The project is seen as a vital step in India’s efforts to enhance energy security. With the growing domestic demand for clean fuel and the push for increased use of LPG in rural and urban households, infrastructure like this plays a crucial role.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
