India, Nepal PMs launch cross-border oil pipeline; linking Motihari with Amlekhgunj

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday launched South Asia’s maiden cross-border oil pipeline that will help in regional connectivity amid Pakistan’s intransigence on approving Saarc connectivity pact.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday inaugurated South Asia’s first crossborder petroleum products pipeline from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal via video conference. This will reduce retail oil prices in Nepal by Rs 2.

India is already supplying diesel to Bangladesh through crossborder train and plans to build pipeline to supply petroleum products to its eastern neighbour.


Speaking on the occasion, Oli expressed appreciation for the early implementation of the project. Modi said the 69-km Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline, having a capacity of 2 million metric ton per annum, will provide cleaner petroleum products at affordable rates to the people of Nepal.

He welcomed the announcement made by Oli to reduce the price of petroleum products by Rs 2 per litre in Nepal.

Modi noted that regular exchanges at the highest level have laid down a forward looking agenda for expanding India-Nepal partnership. He expressed confidence that ties between India and Nepal will further deepen and expand across diverse sectors.