India, Nepal Mull Cross Border LPG, LNG Pipeline

India’s petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan was in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu for the review of the bilateral energy cooperation agreement. During the meeting between Pradhan and Nepal’s Commerce Minister Matrika P. Yadav, it was agreed by the two sides to explore possibilities of collaboration in laying LPG, LNG pipelines in the near future.

Following the successful collaboration on the 69-km-long Motihari (India) — Amlekhgunj (Nepal) oil pipeline, India and Nepal have agreed to explore the possibility of laying pipelines for LPG and LNG to fuel fertilizer plants and industries in Nepal.

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas @dpradhanbjp and Nepal's Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Matrika Prasad Yadav reviews progress of Motihari-Amlekhganj oil pipeline in Amelkhganj #Nepal pic.twitter.com/0CDmuytljX

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 29, 2018

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The Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation will work together on these projects, India's Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the media after visiting Kathmandu, Nepal's capital.

Meanwhile, the Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline project is expected to become operational in 2019.

"India and Nepal are now working together to build the 69-km oil pipeline from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal. We believe that the construction of the pipeline will be finished within one year," Dharmendra Pradhan added.

Also agreed to explore possibilities of laying Pipeline from India to Nepal for LPG and pipeline for natural gas for Fertilizer plant, Industries etc in Nepal; IOC and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) will work together on these projects

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 28, 2018

​So far, a 17 kilometer stretch of the 69-km Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline has been completed according to an agreement that was signed by the two countries in 2015. It has the capacity to supply two million tons of petroleum products annually. Nepal is seeking an extension of the pipeline up to Chitwan in the southwestern part of the country.

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During his meeting with Nepal's Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply, Matrika Prasad Yadav in Kathmandu, the Indian petroleum minister reviewed the bilateral energy cooperation. 

Pradhan and his Nepalese counterpart also inaugurated the construction of a terminal to receive products through the pipeline from India.

Along with my Nepal Counterpart did Bhumi Pujan for construction of terminal to receive products through pipeline from India pic.twitter.com/nL9rFbuLye

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 29, 2018