BIRGUNJ: The government is planning to extend the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline project to Lothar of Chitwan.

"A study is now underway to materialize the 69-kilometers pipeline from Amlekhgunj to Chitwan," informed Birendra Goit, Nepal coordinator in the Nepal-India Pipeline Joint Study Group. "The study will help to identify the method of extending the pipeline and the estimated cost".

A joint task force formed following an understanding between the governments of Nepal and India is working to develop the detailed project report (DPR).

Lothar in Chitwan is planned to have a storage capacity of 100,000 kilolitre of petroleum.

The pipeline from Motihari of India to Amlekhgunj depot of Nepal Oil Corporation is being used to transport diesel and a study is now being carried to start transportation of petrol as well, using the same pipeline, said Chief of NOC Province-2, Bharat Regmi.

For this two petrol tanks of 4.2 million litre capacity each are being constructed at the Amlekhgunj depot for storing petrol.

Petrol can be supplied at the rate of 300,000 to 400,000 litres per hour using the pipeline.

Transportation of petrol using the pipeline will save transportation cost, end technical loss and help maintain quality and control leakage, Regmi added.