Petroleum pipeline to be expanded from Amlekhgunj to Lothar

Representative image of petroleum pipeline

BAGMATI, JANUARY 7: The work on extending the petroleum pipeline from Amlekhgunj in Bara to Lothar in Chitwan is set to begin soon. This expansion follows the completion of the pipeline installation over a 69-kilometre stretch from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj.

A high-level technical team has already conducted a field study for the pipeline extension from Amlekhgunj to Lothar, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently being prepared, according to Engineer Manoj Thakur, spokesperson for Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).

"Technicians from both Nepal and India have carried out a field study and are now working on the DPR," Thakur said.

He also stated that construction will begin for a petroleum storage facility with a capacity of 100,000 litres at Lothar, alongside the pipeline extension. Thakur expressed confidence that the installation and operation of the pipeline from Amlekhgunj to Lothar will prevent petroleum shortages in the western and northern regions of the country.

Additionally, test imports of petroleum products have begun following the completion of the pipeline extension from Motihari to Amlekhgunj.

Pralayankar Acharya, Chief of the NOC's Madhes Provincial Office in Amlekhgunj, reported that all the work related to the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline expansion has been completed. Petrol and kerosene are currently being imported through the pipeline on a trial basis.

"5,500 kiloliters of petrol and 1,000 kiloliters of kerosene have been supplied through the extended pipeline for testing purposes," Acharya explained. "The petroleum products being brought via the pipeline are currently undergoing tests."

Acharya also mentioned that necessary preparations are underway for regular imports of petroleum products through the pipeline.