Date: September 19, 2026

Management Appointment

Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma assumed charge as Director (Projects) of GAIL (India) Limited on September 19, 2026.

Professional Background

Prior to joining GAIL, Shri Sharma served as Executive Director and Regional Head, Eastern Region Pipelines at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). In this role, he was responsible for:

  • Operations and maintenance
  • Construction activities
  • City Gas Distribution (CGD) businesses
  • Overseeing a pipeline network spanning more than 5,700 km across five states

Educational Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Production & Industrial Engineering) from Delhi College of Engineering (DCE)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB)

Professional Experience

Shri Sharma brings over three decades of experience across the entire value chain of hydrocarbon infrastructure, including:

  • Design and engineering
  • Project management
  • Procurement
  • Construction management
  • Operations and maintenance of crude oil, petroleum products, LPG, and natural gas pipeline networks
  • Strategically significant crude oil terminal projects

Previous Roles

Earlier, Shri Sharma served as Executive Director (Projects), Pipelines Division at IOCL, where he was responsible for:

  • Engineering, procurement and construction management of major oil, LPG and natural gas pipeline projects
  • Both domestic (India) and international projects

Board Positions

Shri Sharma has served on the boards of several energy infrastructure companies as Nominee Director representing IOCL:

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

His contributions included strategic governance and development of energy infrastructure.

Leadership Qualities

The appointment brings extensive leadership experience and a proven track record in:

  • Board-level governance
  • Project execution
  • Business development
  • Operational excellence
  • Cost optimisation

Shri Sharma brings a comprehensive understanding of the energy infrastructure sector along with focus on innovation and emerging energy initiatives that will contribute to GAIL's continued growth and transformation in the evolving energy landscape.