Kandla–Bhatinda Oil Pipeline
| Kandla–Bhatinda Oil Pipeline | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| From | Kandla |
| Passes through | Panipat |
| To | Bhatinda |
| General information | |
| Type | Oil products |
| Operator | Indian Oil Corporation |
| Commissioned | 1996 |
| Technical information | |
| Length | 1,443 km (897 mi) |
| Maximum discharge | 6 million metric tons per annum |
The Kandla–Bhatinda Oil Pipeline (KBPL) is a major petroleum pipeline system in India that transports crude oil and refined petroleum products across three states. Commissioned in 1996, it remains the longest multiproduct pipeline in India, with a total length of approximately 1,443 km and an initial annual throughput capacity of 6 million tonnes (MMT), expandable to 8.8 MMT after subsequent upgrades.[1]
Route and Configuration
The pipeline follows a strategic northwest route:
- Kandla (Gujarat) – origin at the Deendayal Port foreshore terminal, fed by oil jetties and Single-Point Mooring (SPM) facilities.[2]
- Panipat (Haryana) – a major refinery and junction point; connected via a 1,113 km, 22-inch crude oil leg from Kandla.[3]
- Bhatinda (Punjab) – terminus via a 218 km, 14-inch product pipeline.[3]
Additionally, a 112 km spur connects Kot (near Jodhpur) to Salawas, enhancing regional supply.[4]
Historical Development
In August 1993, IOC awarded a ₹1,093 crore turnkey contract to a Škoda Export–led consortium. Delays caused phased commissioning between December 1995 and June 1996.[5]
- Phase I enhancement (1999): Added pump stations at Sidhpur and Sanganer, raising capacity to about 7.5 MMT, costing ₹42.62 crore.[4]
Initially commissioned as a product pipeline, the Kandla–Panipat section was later converted to a crude pipeline, while Panipat–Bhatinda continues transporting refined products.[2]
Ownership and Administration
The pipeline is owned and operated by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), via its Pipelines Division. The division oversees over 13,000 km of pipeline infrastructure across India.[2]
Technical Features
- Length: ~1,443 km
* Kandla–Panipat: 1,113 km (22") * Panipat–Bhatinda: 218 km (14") * Kot–Salawas Spur: 112 km (10.75")[4]
- Includes pump stations (e.g. Sanganer), SCADA, cathodic protection systems, and storage terminals.[3]
Strategic Importance
KBPL facilitates sea-to-land petroleum transport from Gujarat to northern India. It supplies the Panipat refinery and distributes refined products to Punjab, Haryana, and other northern states.[1]
It reduces dependency on road and rail transport, lowering logistics costs and environmental risks.[2]
Performance and Audit Insights
Between 1999–2004, throughput ranged from 5.0 to 6.9 MMT, often below designed capacity.[4]
The 2004–05 CAG audit report found:
- Phase II expansion was not justified due to low usage.
- ₹176.96 crore in bank guarantees encashed vs. ₹10.45 crore needed.
- Avoidable interest costs of ₹70.29 crore incurred.[6]
A 2005 CAG summary presented to Parliament confirmed ₹66.68 crore in avoidable expense.[7]
Network Integration
The pipeline was later integrated into a wider grid with the commissioning of the Mundra–Panipat crude pipeline. A 74 km spur connects Mundra port to Kandla, sharing the route to Panipat.[1]
This enhances import flexibility via Gujarat’s SPM and supports 499 KT crude storage at Mundra.[2]
Economic and Regional Impact
The pipeline supports fuel supply to northern India, reducing dependence on conventional transport and promoting industrial growth. It is a part of IOCL’s broader infrastructure vision.[2]
Challenges and Criticism
The pipeline has faced scrutiny for:
- Underutilization post-expansion.
- Excessive expenditure on augmentation.
- Contractual and commissioning delays.[4]
These issues have served as lessons for improving public infrastructure governance in India.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Petroleum Product Pipelines". IndianOil Corporation. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "IndianOil Pipelines Division" (PDF). IndianOil Corporation. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "Northern Region Pipelines (NRPL)" (PDF). IndianOil Corporation. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Review of Pipelines Division – Northern Region" (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Parliamentary Q&A: Kandla–Bhatinda Pipeline Project" (PDF). Parliament Digital Library. 30 July 1991. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "CAG pulls up Indian Oil". The Telegraph India. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "2005 CAG Report overview" (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Retrieved 23 June 2025.