“Trial Import of Petrol and Kerosene via Motihari-Amlekhgunj Pipeline Begins in Nepal”

Kathmandu, December 28 – Nepal has commenced trial imports of petroleum products from India via the expanded Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline, which has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades. The pipeline, which was initially used for importing diesel, has now entered its second phase, allowing for the transportation of kerosene and petrol from India.

The trial began on Saturday, with the Nepal Oil Corporation’s (NOC) Madhesh Provincial Office Chief, Pralayankar Acharya, confirming that 5,500 kiloliters of petrol and 1,000 kiloliters of kerosene were imported through the pipeline for testing purposes.

Acharya further stated that while the regular import of these products was originally scheduled to begin in January 2025, there may be slight delays as final preparations are still underway. The pipeline’s expansion project, carried out by the Indian Oil Corporation, has upgraded the infrastructure at the Amlekhgunj depot, which includes the construction of large storage tanks, automatic loading systems, a pump house, and a laboratory. Enhanced safety features like a new firefighting system and oil-water separation mechanisms have also been added to improve operational efficiency.

Although the project was originally expected to be completed in 2023, delays pushed its finalization to December 2024. The pipeline, launched in 2019 for diesel imports, now also facilitates the transportation of petrol and kerosene.

Before the pipeline’s expansion, the Amlekhgunj depot had limited storage capacity, requiring the use of tankers for importing petrol and kerosene. The upgraded facilities are expected to streamline the import process and improve supply chain efficiency. According to Acharya, the upgraded depot will have a total storage capacity of 24,840 kiloliters for diesel and 16,630 kiloliters for petrol, which will ensure a more stable supply of petroleum products in Nepal.

The expanded pipeline offers several benefits, including the elimination of technical losses during transportation, reduced costs compared to tanker imports, and a reduction in environmental pollution caused by vehicular emissions. Once fully operational, the pipeline is expected to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable supply of petroleum products in Nepal.