January 22: National Planning Commission (NPC) has included Nepal India Pipe line Project in National Priority Project. According to NPC, it included the project in national priority project on December 21.

NPC included the project in national priority project considering the importance, cost and various other factors of the project. Due to the lack of options of petroleum products, demand of petroleum products in Nepal is tremendously increasing for the development of various projects and industries. Thus, NPC concluded that the under construction petroleum pipe line will ease the supply of petroleum products in the country.

The construction of 41 kilometres of the pipeline from Amlekhganj to Raxaul has already taken pace. As per NPC, the construction work is being forwarded on Indo-Nepal joint investment. NPC anticipates above Rs 4 billion investment on the construction of the pipeline. According to a source, Indian government will spend Rs 3.2 billion and the rest will be borne by Nepali government.

Nepal Oil Corporation said that the pipeline will ease the import of petroleum products. Moreover, NOC expects a reduction in price due to low transportation cost.