SAIL, GAIL Sign Long-Term Natural Gas Supply Pact

22 Jan 2026 CW Team

State-owned steel major Steel Authority of India Limited has signed a strategic long-term agreement with GAIL (India) Limited for the supply of natural gas, marking an important step towards cleaner and more sustainable steel production in India.

The agreement will come into effect from November 2027 and will remain valid for a period of five years. It is aimed at supporting SAIL’s expansion and modernisation plans, particularly at its Burnpur Steel Plant in West Bengal, while ensuring a reliable and environmentally friendly energy supply.

Under the agreement, GAIL will supply natural gas to meet SAIL’s rising energy requirements stemming from capacity expansion and modernisation initiatives at the Burnpur plant. The availability of long-term gas supplies is expected to improve operational efficiency, enhance process reliability and support the commissioning of new facilities planned under SAIL’s expansion roadmap.

The shift towards greater use of natural gas is also expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions compared with conventional fossil fuels. The agreement aligns with SAIL’s broader strategy to transition to low-carbon and environmentally sustainable steelmaking, in line with India’s climate commitments and green manufacturing objectives.

Natural gas is expected to play a key role in improving energy efficiency, lowering emissions intensity and enabling cleaner steel production processes across SAIL’s operations.

From an energy security perspective, the long-term nature of the agreement provides SAIL with assured fuel supply while offering GAIL a stable demand base. Both companies said the partnership reflects growing collaboration among public sector enterprises to strengthen domestic industrial capabilities and promote sustainable economic growth.

Real Estate

20 Feb 2026

Supreme Court Clears NBCC to Complete 16 Stalled Supertech Projects

In a significant relief to thousands of homebuyers, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the order of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) directing NBCC to complete 16 stalled residential projects of debt-ridden Supertech Ltd.The apex court, in its final order delivered on February 5, 2026, restrained all courts and tribunals from passing any directions that could stall or obstruct the execution of the NBCC-led completion plan. The decision impacts nearly 51,000 homebuyers who have been awaiting possession of their flats for over a decade.Years of delaySupertech launched and p..

Telecom Underpins India's AI Revolution, MoS Says

At the India AI Impact Summit, the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development said that telecom infrastructure constitutes the foundational layer of the country's artificial intelligence ecosystem and described connectivity as a form of sovereignty. He argued that inclusive digital connectivity is central to India's technological leadership and the empowerment of citizens. The address framed telecom as essential not merely for communication but for enabling AI-driven opportunities across sectors. He noted that broadband subscribers rose from 60 million (60 mn) in 2014 to one bi..

India and Ireland Deepen Digital and Telecom Cooperation

India and Ireland held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi in which the Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, led the Indian delegation and Jack Chambers led the Irish delegation. The meeting at Sanchar Bhawan sought to deepen cooperation in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, emerging technologies and regulatory collaboration. Senior officials from the Department of Telecommunications and Ireland's Commission for Communications Regulation attended to chart a roadmap for future networks. Both sides noted complementarities between India's scale and rapid deployment capab..