Dhaka: The first-ever petroleum pipeline connecting the southeastern port city of Chattogram to the capital Dhaka is set to become operational starting tomorrow morning, as confirmed by a ministry official today. Authorities from the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) have completed the 250-kilometre-long oil pipeline, with construction executed by army sappers at a cost of about Tk 3,700 crore. The state-run corporation will oversee the operation and maintenance of this new pipeline.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr. Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan is scheduled to inaugurate the pipeline from the Chattogram point at around 11 am. The project aims to reduce the system losses experienced during the loading and unloading process of petroleum tankers, thereby minimizing pollution risks. The pipeline, which features a 16-inch diameter pipe stretching 241 kilometres from Patenga to Godnail in Narayanganj, includes a depot installed at Fatullah through a separate 10-inch diameter pipeline.
The underground pipeline traverses beneath 22 rivers and canals, supported by nine pumping stations. This infrastructure represents a significant advancement over the previous Bangladesh-India Maitree Pipeline, which was constructed for diesel imports from India to Bangladesh. In addition, BPC officials have announced plans to build another pipeline to facilitate the unloading of crude oil from the sea.
The pipeline is expected to dramatically cut down the time taken to transport petroleum from Chattogram to Narayanganj from 24 hours to just four hours. Financially, the pipeline will reduce the current annual transportation cost from Tk 326 crore to Tk 90 crore, saving at least Tk 226 crore every year. It will also mitigate issues such as pilferage, theft, and supply interruptions during inclement weather.
Implemented by the 24th Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army, the project incorporates a computerized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for effective monitoring and control of transportation processes. The pipeline underwent a successful trial operation on June 24.