Team News Riveting
Petty issues simmering between India and Nepal had been sidelined for the pipeline project.
Literally, both the countries would explore the possibilities of laying another pipeline to feed the growing fuel demand in the Himalayan nation.
Recently, the two nations had locked horns over petty issues flared up by Nepal related to border and birth place of Lord Rama and Buddha. Experts believed that it was at the direction of Beijing.
However, for the energy need, Nepal had extended hands of friendship. The discussion on extending the network of petroleum pipeline and setting up new pipelines was discussed during the meeting of a joint working group early this month.
The meeting organised through video conferencing was attended by top government officials from the Indian side including representatives from IndianOil, GAIL, and HPCL. The Nepalese side was represented by the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs of Nepal and Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC).
According to officials, a team would soon visit Nepal to explore the possible routes for a new pipeline to see the feasibility before investment. There is potential for expanding the pipeline network that would bring a lot of savings for the Himalayan country.
The existing pipeline between the two countries was inaugurated in September last year by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal. The 69-km pipeline, which starts from Motihari in India and ends at Amlekhgunj in Nepal, is the first of its kind in south Asia.
