PM Modi & Sheikh Hasina Launch India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, a cross-border energy pipeline, was launched on Saturday via video conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.

“I am confident that this pipeline would further accelerate Bangladesh’s growth and be a magnificent example of the rising connection between both nations”, Prime Minister Modi said during his speech at the event.

This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of Rs 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline was built at a cost of approximately Rs 285 crore, which was borne by the Government of India through grant assistance, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in recent years under the capable leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Every Indian is proud of that, and we’re thrilled to have been able to contribute to Bangladesh’s development journey”, PM Modi made the remarks at the inauguration of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.

PM Modi added that the friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh was started in September 2018.

“This pipeline will deliver 1 million metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to the districts of Northern West Bengal. This reduces both the cost and the carbon footprint of the supply”, he further said.

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will transport diesel from Assam’s Numaligarh Refinery Ltd’s (NRL) marketing terminal in Siliguri, West Bengal, to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s Parbatipur depot (BPC).

The project is being carried out in collaboration with India’s Numaligarh Refinery Limited and Bangladesh’s Meghna Petroleum Limited.

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline would help ensure a consistent supply of diesel in Bangladesh’s 16 northern districts of Rangpur and Rajshahi. It will ensure quick fuel delivery at a low cost. Imported diesel is currently delivered to these areas via wagons and trawlers from the Chattogram and Mongla ports.

Also read: UBS In Talks To Acquire Credit Suisse