KATHMANDU, July 12: The second phase of the Motihari-Amlekhgunj Petroleum Pipeline project is making significant progress, with approximately 40 percent of the work completed so far, according to Binit Mani Upadhyay, head of the Madhesh Regional Office of NOC, Amlekhganj Bara.
Under the ongoing second phase, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is constructing two petrol tanks with a capacity of 4,000 kiloliters each, two transmix tanks with a capacity of 250 kiloliters each, 24 fully automatic loading ways for petrol transportation - refillers, pump houses, and laboratories at the Amlekhgunj depot in Bara, as stated by Upadhyaya.
Upadhyaya also mentioned that progress has been made in the upgradation of the fire-fighting system, the OWS system for separating water and oil, and the construction of the PMCC room under the same project. Likhita Infrastructure Pvt Ltd has been awarded the contract by the NOC Madhesh Regional Office to complete the entire infrastructure construction by the end of 2023. One of the petrol tanks will be funded by the NOC, while the other will be funded by the IOC.
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Furthermore, Upadhyaya highlighted the agreement between the NOC and the IOC to construct two transmix tanks for storing mixed fuel (petrol and diesel) and a firewater tank with a capacity of 3,000 kiloliters for security within the depot.
The first phase of the project, which involved the importation of diesel, was successfully completed on September 11, 2019, through the pipeline. Upon the completion of the second phase, the pipeline will also facilitate the importation of petrol and kerosene.
Upadhyaya acknowledged that due to the current lack of storage capacity, petroleum products still need to be transported via tankers. However, he expressed optimism that the project will be finalized by December this year, enabling the importation of petroleum products through the pipeline from January 2024.
Moreover, Upadhyaya emphasized the benefits of importing petroleum products through pipelines, including zero technical losses, cost savings in transportation, and a reduction in environmental pollution.
Upon the completion of the project, the diesel storage capacity at the Amlekhgunj depot will reach 24,840 kiloliters, while the petrol storage capacity will reach 16,630 kiloliters. Upadhyaya stated that in accordance with the government's fuel storage policy of maintaining a 90-day supply, the NOC plans to construct two additional tanks with a capacity of 5,000 kiloliters each.
