GAIL (India) Limited has tapped a seasoned oil-and-gas veteran to bolster its project execution slate, naming Manoj Kumar Sharma as Director (Projects). The appointment comes on the back of a government-nominated nomination from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with Sharma slated to assume charge as Director (Projects) from the date he takes over, and continue until his superannuation on 30 April 2031 or until further orders.
In a board meeting held on 18 September 2026, GAIL approved Sharma’s appointment as an Additional Director of the company, signaling the group’s intent to deepen its leadership in project design, engineering, procurement, and construction across its pipeline and energy infrastructure portfolio. Sharma arrives with a rich track record spanning more than three decades across the oil and gas value chain, with hands-on experience in crude oil, petroleum products, LPG, and natural gas pipeline networks.
Sharma’s recent role as Executive Director and Regional Head of the Eastern Region Pipelines at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) saw him steering operations, maintenance, construction, and city gas distribution across five states, managing a pipeline network exceeding 5,700 kilometers. His background also includes stints as IOCL’s Executive Director (Projects) in the Pipelines Division, where he oversaw engineering, procurement, and construction for major pipeline projects both in India and abroad.
Beyond his operational credentials, Sharma has served on the boards of GSPL India Transco Limited, GSPL India Gasnet Limited, and Kochi Salem Pipeline Private Limited as a Nominee Director representing IOCL, underscoring a governance track record that aligns with GAIL’s strategic ambitions. With this appointment, GAIL aims to leverage Sharma’s project-management prowess and energy-sector insight to accelerate its pipeline and energy-infrastructure initiatives while aligning with broader policy and industry priorities.