Nepal to Seek ATF Supply From India Via Cross-Border Pipeline

08 Dec 2025 CW Team

Nepal first began receiving diesel through the Motihari–Amlekhgunj pipeline in September 2019, later adding petrol and kerosene imports in early 2025. The fifth meeting of the Nepal–India Joint Working Group on Petroleum and Gas, scheduled for 8 December, will now consider Nepal’s proposal to transport Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) via the expanded pipeline network. A Cabinet meeting on Monday approved the Nepali delegation for the talks.

Shivaram Pokharel, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and head of the delegation, said Nepal will propose ATF supply once construction of the Amlekhgunj–Lothar extension in Chitwan is completed. The project is being developed with Indian support, while Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) will build an ATF depot at Lothar using its own resources.

Work on extending the Motihari–Amlekhgunj pipeline to Lothar began in early August. Pokharel noted that the extended pipeline and the new depot will allow ATF to be transported directly to Lothar. Because of limited capacity at the Amlekhgunj depot, the ATF storage facility is being shifted to Lothar.

He added that the same pipeline can sequentially transport diesel, petrol, kerosene and ATF, with scientific safeguards ensuring no cross-contamination between fuels.

During the former Nepali Prime Minister’s visit to India in May–June 2023, both sides signed an MoU covering petroleum infrastructure between Siliguri and Jhapa, extending the Amlekhgunj–Lothar section, and constructing new terminals in Chitwan and Jhapa. The original cross-border pipeline, completed in 2019, was the first of its kind in South Asia.

Meanwhile, Nepal has recorded its first-ever import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), with Yogya Holding—part of SG Group—beginning shipments from Indian Oil Corporation. The agreement for LNG supply was signed earlier this year.

Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri described the maiden LNG export to Nepal as a “milestone operation”, highlighting India’s commitment to advancing regional energy security and expanding clean-energy partnerships.

Nepal will hold discussions with India on supplying aviation fuel through the cross-border petroleum pipeline, with officials from both countries set to meet next week in New Delhi, a senior Nepali official confirmed on Wednesday. Nepal first began receiving diesel through the Motihari–Amlekhgunj pipeline in September 2019, later adding petrol and kerosene imports in early 2025. The fifth meeting of the Nepal–India Joint Working Group on Petroleum and Gas, scheduled for 8 December, will now consider Nepal’s proposal to transport Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) via the expanded pipeline network. A Cabinet meeting on Monday approved the Nepali delegation for the talks. Shivaram Pokharel, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and head of the delegation, said Nepal will propose ATF supply once construction of the Amlekhgunj–Lothar extension in Chitwan is completed. The project is being developed with Indian support, while Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) will build an ATF depot at Lothar using its own resources. Work on extending the Motihari–Amlekhgunj pipeline to Lothar began in early August. Pokharel noted that the extended pipeline and the new depot will allow ATF to be transported directly to Lothar. Because of limited capacity at the Amlekhgunj depot, the ATF storage facility is being shifted to Lothar. He added that the same pipeline can sequentially transport diesel, petrol, kerosene and ATF, with scientific safeguards ensuring no cross-contamination between fuels. During the former Nepali Prime Minister’s visit to India in May–June 2023, both sides signed an MoU covering petroleum infrastructure between Siliguri and Jhapa, extending the Amlekhgunj–Lothar section, and constructing new terminals in Chitwan and Jhapa. The original cross-border pipeline, completed in 2019, was the first of its kind in South Asia. Meanwhile, Nepal has recorded its first-ever import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), with Yogya Holding—part of SG Group—beginning shipments from Indian Oil Corporation. The agreement for LNG supply was signed earlier this year. Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri described the maiden LNG export to Nepal as a “milestone operation”, highlighting India’s commitment to advancing regional energy security and expanding clean-energy partnerships.

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Dhalbhumgarh Airport Faces 150-km Rule Hurdle

The issue has resurfaced following a recent statement by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who said that under existing aviation policy, a new greenfield airport is generally not permitted within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of an operational civilian airport. He added, however, that if a formal proposal is submitted, its impact on the existing airport can be examined and relaxations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. While the clarification has revived some hope for Dhalbhumgarh, it has also underlined the scale of the technical challenge facing the project. Unde..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Stakeholders Seek Parallel Ops For Vizag Airports

With road and metro rail links to Bhogapuram still several years away, stakeholders in north Andhra Pradesh have renewed demands to continue civil operations at INS Dega even after the commissioning of Bhogapuram International Airport. The new airport is expected to begin commercial operations from June. Officials said close to 80 per cent of the airport infrastructure at Bhogapuram, including the terminal building and internal approach roads, has already been completed. However, inadequate external connectivity remains a key concern. Making a case for parallel operations, Andhra Pradesh Air ..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Govt To Roll Out V2V Tech To Cut Road Crashes

In an effort to curb road accidents, particularly in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog, the government is set to roll out vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology that will allow cars to exchange real-time data and alert drivers to potential dangers. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after the 43rd meeting of the Transport Development Council. The technology involves installing an on-board unit (OBU) in vehicles, enabling wireless data exchange between nearby cars. This will allow vehicles to share information such as spee..