Modi, Oli jointly inaugurate India-Nepal cross border petroleum product pipeline

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart K P Sharma Oli on Tuesday jointly inaugurated the Motihari-Amlekhganj petroleum product pipeline via a video link.

The over 60 km-long pipeline is the first-ever cross-border petroleum product pipeline in the South Asia region, according to a video presentation made before the inauguration.

The landmark pipeline will ensure smooth, cost-effective and environment-friendly supply of petroleum products to Nepal. The 69 kms long pipeline from Motihari in Bihar to Amlekhgunj in Nepal has been constructed by India in just 15 months, half of its 30 months deadline. It has been constructed at the cost of around three hundred fifty crore rupees which are entirely borne by Indian Oil Corporation.

As of now, tankers carry petroleum products from India to Nepal as part of an arrangement which is in place since 1973.

“This India-Nepal energy cooperation project is a symbol of our close bilateral relations. It will help to enhance the energy security of the region and substantially cut down on transit costs,” the Prime Minister’s Office had said on Monday.