Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the capacity augmentation project of Oil India Limited (OIL)’s Numaligarh-Siliguri Products Pipeline (NSPL) during a public meeting held in Guwahati on Friday.
According to a press release issued by Oil India Limited, “The Numaligarh-Siliguri Products Pipeline (NSPL) is a 654 km long, 406 mm (16 in) diameter multi-product pipeline that was originally designed and operated at a capacity of 1.72 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA). The pipeline has now been upgraded to 5.5 MMMTPA to support the expansion of the Numaligarh refinery from 3.0 MMMTPA to 9.0 million metric tons per annum under Government of India’s Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East.”
The statement noted that the capacity enhancement has been achieved through modernization of existing infrastructure, including conversion of pig stations at Sikoni, Guwahati, Bongaigaon and Madarihat into medium pumping stations, increasing pumping facilities at Numaligarh dispatch station and upgrading facilities at Siliguri receiving station to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Undertaken as a brownfield project, the increment was completed in approx $Rs 750 crore against the approved cost $860 Crores.
This in turn has achieved significant savings while improving the use of existing assets.
During the implementation phase, the project also generated significant employment opportunities, amounting to about 4.1 million man-hours over a period of more than three years in Assam and West Bengal, the statement said.
The project represents a major milestone in enhancing the infrastructure for transporting petroleum products in the northeastern region and enhancing energy security in India.
The Prime Minister was in Assam on Friday, inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth about $100 million. $19,480 crore in Guwahati, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Addressing a large gathering in Guwahati, the Prime Minister extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of the city. He also welcomed joining farmers from all over the country as well as brothers and sisters working in tea gardens, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
