Jumbangla Desk: The process of bringing fuel oil from Chittagong to Dhaka by pipeline is starting from next January. In the meantime, about 250 km pipeline from Chittagong to Dhaka has been completed. Now the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is preparing to inaugurate the pipeline oil supply activities. Through this pipeline, 3 million tons of oil will come to Godnail and Fatulla depots in Narayanganj. From the report made by the voice of time, the details are highlighted:

It will save huge amount of transportation cost as well as time. There will also be relief from system losses including oil theft to a large extent. The pipeline will save at least Rs 250 crore annually, including transportation costs and preventing oil wastage, senior BPC officials said. BPC has implemented pipeline project for transportation of fuel oil.

It is known that fuel oil comes from Chittagong to Dhaka by river and road. However, oil transportation is sometimes interrupted due to political unrest. Apart from this, due to the high cost of transporting oil by river and road, there are also allegations of oil theft. At the same time, it becomes difficult to transport oil due to reduced navigability during the dry season.

In October 2018, approval was given for the project named 'Energy Oil Transport by Pipeline from Chittagong to Dhaka' to resolve these crises. The project was completed under the supervision of BPC's Padma Oil Company. Initially, the cost of the pipeline project was estimated at Tk 2,861 crore 31 lakh. Later, the revised expenditure stood at 3,600 crores. However, the project was supposed to be completed two years earlier. Delayed due to various complications.

Chairman (Secretary) of BPC. Amin ul Ahsan said, 'Dhaka-Chittagong pipeline project is going to be inaugurated next January. If the supply of fuel oil starts through it, it will be possible to prevent the transportation cost and wastage. Dhaka-Chittagong Pipeline Project Director Aminul Haque told Kal Kantha, 'The pipeline installation has been completed 100% so far. Preparations are being made for commissioning. The cost of the project will come up within 15 to 20 years through the amount of transportation cost and waste prevention when the oil supply starts completely.'

At present, the annual demand for fuel oil is about 72 lakh metric tons. 40 to 42 percent of the total demand of fuel oil is used in Dhaka division. To meet the demand, Guptakhal main depot in Chittagong Patenga is taken by sea to Godnail, Fatulla and Chandpur depots in Narayanganj. From there it is delivered by road transport and rail wagons.

BPC Director (Operation) Anupam Barua said, 'Chittagong to Dhaka oil supply pipeline project is very important for the country. It will revolutionize the supply of fuel when it is launched. This will save time and money. Storage capacity will increase. At the same time, the dependence of oil transportation on waterways and transportation risks and operational losses will be reduced.

It is known that 90 percent of the country's fuel oil is transported by sea. About 200 oil tankers under the control of oil marketing companies transport these fuels. In addition to system loss in fuel oil transportation by sea, major accidents also occur from time to time.

Asif Malik, Deputy General Manager (Operations) of Padma Oil Company Limited said, 'It used to take two days to get oil from Chittagong to Dhaka by river. Accidents such as fire in tankers occur from time to time. Along with saving transportation costs through pipelines, oil can be delivered much risk-free.'