Tk12b Ctg-Dhaka fuel pipeline by 2017

The government has undertaken a project to install a 250-kilometres (km)-long petroleum fuel pipeline between Chittagong and Dhaka at a cost of Tk12 billion (Tk1,200 crore). The project is aimed at reducing transport cost and stopping pilferage of the costly fuel. "We have undertaken the project to install 250 kms fuel pipeline from Chittagong to Dhaka to save Tk1.3b (Tk130cr) annually and ensure fuel security," Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary Abubakar Siddique has said. He said the government would set up the pipeline spending around Tk12b and it would ultimately save Tk1.3b annually by checking pilferage of fuel during transportation through river routes and highways. The direct petroleum fuel pipeline would supply imported fuel and crude oil from Chittagong, including Eastern Refinery, to Dhaka city, saving both time and costs, he informed. According to the details, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will implement the project, expected to be completed in 2017. Appointment of the consultant for the project is underway. Besides, the Secretary said, the Energy and Mineral resources division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral resources has undertaken another project to install 16 kms pipeline from Kanchan Bridge to Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport in Dhaka with an estimated cost of Tk400 million (Tk40cr). He also said that the government has prepared a document, fixing a target to complete the project by 2016, also to save Tk240m annually. Both the fuel pipelines would strengthen the fuel security in Dhaka city as well as the country's main airport for supplying fuel immediately, according to a news agency.