The detailed project report (DPR) of Amlekhgunj-Raxaul pipeline project, which Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) recently forwarded to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), has also suggested NOC to lay 10.7 inch diameter pipeline to match with rapidly growing demand of fossil fuel. It also notes that the whole length of the pipeline will be 41 kilometers -- 39 km in Nepal and 2 km in India -- and given the money NOC spends to transport fuel via tankers, NOC will recoup the investment in 20 years.
- Pipeline to run 1 to 1.2 km east of the Highway
- Main station at Raxaul to pump 3,000 KL of fuel in a batch
- IOC suggests not to buy the land but to follow its ´right of way´ modality
- Pipeline will lower fuel transportation cost by 40 pc, ensure uninterrupted supply
The cross-border pipeline project was first proposed by IOC about a decade ago, and the two governments have already signed an understanding to implement it under joint venture project.
If laid down, the pipeline is estimated to reduce the fuel transportation cost by 40 percent, something which will greatly relieve the consumers. It is also expected to generate additional revenue to the government against the use of pipeline, reduce technical loss, oil theft, and road deterioration, besides making the supplies cleaner and cheaper.
NOC has long argued that the pipeline, most importantly, will end fuel shortages that hit the market now and again.
"We now know we will need to invest IRS 1 billion to lay down the pipeline system of size that will meet out requirements for next few decades," NOC Chief Digambar Jha told myrepublica.com.
The cost, however, does not include the cost of land.
For the acquisition of land required for laying down the system, IOC has suggested NOC to follow its modality of pipeline construction, which is technically termed ´right of way´. If NOC followed this modality, it will not have to buy the land from individual owners, but will just lay down the pipeline underground, allowing the owners to plough and plant the crops or make any other use of their land.
However, the owners would be restricted from constructing permanent structures within 5 meters either side of the system.
"For pledging this right, we will pay certain amount of money to the landowners," said Jha. Also in case of repair and others works, NOC would make full compensation for the damages of crops or other businesses.
To acquire this right, NOC would, however, need a legislative support from the government.
"We will need a separate Pipeline Act for acquiring land in this modality," said Jha.
In the DPR, IOC has stated that the most suitable construction alignment for the pipeline would be to lay it down 1 to 1.2 kilometers eastward of the Tribhuvan Highway, running parallel to it.
Under this, it will cross a total of five minor rivers, one railway line, one highway, five metaled roads and circumvent Simara Airport to reach NOC´s Amlekhgunj depot.
IOC has proposed that the pipeline be laid 1.5 meters down the ground. "It is a safe system. Therefore, laying it down at 1.5 meters below the ground is fine," said Jha, referring to the DPR.
The DPR does not consider people making intentional efforts to damage the system. For monitoring the system, it, nonetheless, proposes deputing a guard in every two to three kilometers.
As is obvious, the main pumping station of the pipeline system will remain in Raxaul. The system, identified as appropriate by the IOC, will pump out 3,000 kiloliters (KL) of fuel in one batch at a speed of 294 KL per hour.
"Different kinds of products can be sent in a single batch as well. This will enable us receive product mix as we need," said Jha.
milan@myrepublica.com
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