Modi, Hasina To Inaugurate First Cross-Border Pipeline

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the first India-Bangladesh energy pipeline on Saturday via video-conference.

It will be the first cross-border pipeline between India and Bangladesh that has been built at an estimated cost of ₹ 377 crore.

The total cost includes the expenditure of ₹ 285 crore incurred on laying the portion on the Bangladesh side.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline on March 18 at 1700 hours (IST) via video-conference,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

“This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline built at a cost of approximately ₹ 285 crore, has been borne by the government of India under grant assistance,” it said in a statement.

The pipeline has the capacity to transport one million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) of high-speed diesel.

It will supply high-speed diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

“The operation of India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh and will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries,” the MEA said.