GAIL (India) Limited has appointed Manoj Kumar Sharma as an Additional Director (Projects). The board approved the move on September 18, 2026, following a nomination from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Sharma’s tenure begins upon his assumption of charge and continues until his superannuation on April 30, 2031, or until further orders.

The appointment aligns with regulatory disclosures under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The company confirmed that Sharma holds no inter-se relations with existing directors and is not debarred by any statutory authority.

Profile and Experience

Sharma brings over three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector. He previously served as Executive Director and Regional Head of Eastern Region Pipelines at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). In that role, he oversaw operations, maintenance, construction, and city gas distribution businesses across five states, managing a pipeline network exceeding 5,700 km.

He also held the position of Executive Director (Projects) in IOCL’s Pipelines Division. His responsibilities included engineering, procurement, and construction management for major oil, LPG, and natural gas pipeline projects in India and globally.

Board Governance

Sharma has served as a Nominee Director representing IOCL on the boards of:

• GSPL India Transco Limited (GITL)
• GSPL India Gasnet Limited (GIGL)
• Kochi Salem Pipeline Private Limited (KSPPL)

His educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Production & Industrial Engineering) from Delhi College of Engineering and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has approved the transfer of 6 city gas distribution (CGD) areas to Gail Gas, clearing a key regulatory hurdle ahead of a proposed ₹3,000 crore IPO and minority stake dilution.

Regulatory approval and CGD transfer

GAIL India 's subsidiary, Gail Gas, received the PNGRB nod for the transfer of 6 CGD areas. This regulatory clearance is considered a significant step in the restructuring process that is expected to precede the planned public offering.

IPO and stake dilution plans

The approval paves the way for a proposed ₹3,000 crore IPO by Gail Gas, which would also involve a minority stake dilution. The development signals a structured effort to unlock value in the CGD business housed within the subsidiary.

Background

Gail Gas operates as a subsidiary focused on city gas distribution, a segment that supplies piped natural gas to households and compressed natural gas to vehicles. The PNGRB approval for the transfer of CGD areas is a prerequisite for reorganising the business ahead of any public market listing.