India is reviving a decades-old proposal to build a 2,000-kilometer (1,243-mile) deep-sea gas pipeline from Oman to Gujarat, aiming to bypass volatile maritime chokepoints and secure its long-term energy supply.

The Middle East-India Deepwater Pipeline, promoted by South Asia Gas Enterprise, would connect Oman directly to India’s western coast across the Arabian Sea.

Estimated to cost approximately 400 billion rupees ($4.8 billion), the project would establish a direct energy corridor to reduce India's heavy reliance on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint frequently vulnerable to geopolitical tensions.

The Indian Petroleum Ministry has tasked state-run companies, including GAIL, Engineers India Ltd. and Indian Oil Corp., with preparing a detailed feasibility report based on data from SAGE.

If constructed, the pipeline would be one of the deepest subsea energy routes ever attempted, with parts of the network lying more than 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) below sea level.

Supporters argue the pipeline offers a more reliable alternative to liquefied natural gas imports, which require complex liquefaction and regasification processes. Project proposals estimate transportation costs between $2 and $2.25 per million British thermal units.

First envisioned more than 30 years ago, the project has repeatedly stalled due to high costs, commercial viability concerns and technological limitations. While modern offshore engineering advances have made deep-sea construction more feasible, significant hurdles remain.

Experts note that operating at extreme underwater pressures complicates installation and maintenance. Any technical failures or leaks would require specialized vessels and advanced underwater equipment to repair, raising the risk of expensive cost overruns.

Financing also remains unresolved, as investors require long-term supply agreements to guarantee sustainable returns.

Despite these challenges, Indian policymakers view the pipeline as a vital step toward energy resilience.

Beyond natural gas, some experts suggest the infrastructure could eventually be adapted to transport alternative fuels like hydrogen, deepening economic and strategic ties between India and the Gulf region.