The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has levied a fine on H-Energy Private Limited, part of real estate giant Hiranandani group, for delays in laying a pipeline from Jaigarh in Maharasthra to Mangalore in Karnataka, via Goa, to carry natural gas to users. The company was granted a licence to lay the 635-kilometer Jaigarh-Mangalore natural gas pipeline on June 28, 2016. The line with a capacity to carry 17 million standard cubic meters per day of gas was supposed to be commissioned by June 27, 2019. However, as on March 2022, the progress under the project is nil. PNGRB has therefore ordered encashing 25 per cent of the performance bank guarantee (submitted by the company at the time of winning the authorisation of the pipeline) amounting to Rs 50 million. Meanwhile, the progress of work was disrupted due to Covid-19 and the cost had further risen to Rs 78.65 billion from original estimate of Rs 23.89 billion.