Despite political unrest in Bangladesh, Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) stated that business with Bangladesh is continuing as usual and there is no hindrance to the supply chain.
The refinery located at Numaligarh, Golaghat district, Assam in India, plans to reach the northern sides and northeastern part of Bangladesh through waterways. The company is also looking to enter Myanmar once the situation in the country improves.
There is a 130 km Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) from Siliguri in West Bengal to Parbatipur in Bangladesh.
Chairman NRL and CMD Oil India Limited (OIL), Ranjit Rath, who was in Guwahati on Friday said, "Absolutely not. In fact, the pipeline which is built at the behest of the Government of India, ministry of External Affairs and the excellent collaboration we have with our neighbour Bangladesh the pipeline has come handy and as we speak, we are pushing product in that pipeline. So, there is no difference, no disturbance."
He added, "We are not only looking at the Look East policy, but we are also looking at mainland India. While refinery expansion is underway, we are also having collaborative arrangements with oil marketing companies (OMC). We will not only cater to the northeast India market but entire India through our collaborative efforts with OMCs. "
He added, "We are also creating opportunities to target the northern part of Bangladesh not only through pipeline which is the Indo-Bangladesh friendship pipeline, we have got collaborations with the Indian waterways authority and Assam to push petroleum products through barges. Simultaneously we are also exploring the opportunity to see if we can put a terminal in Silchar, so that we can target the Northeastern part of Bangladesh."
Rath said that some discussion is on with Myanmar. "And as we crystalize more, we will be able to share. We are not looking at retail outlets in Myanmar." He added, "Export potential to Bangladesh will remain our mainstay post refinery expansion from 3 to 9 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum)."
Sources in NRL said, "If one sees the geography of Bangladesh, northern sides are a little bit inaccessible from the Southern side, they lack too many river crossings in terms of having bridges. Northern side has agro-based industries, and they need petroleum products in the peak of winter. This is the time when river draft is low, and Bangladesh typically transports petroleum products through the river. They found the collaboration interesting. We have given a detailed plan to them and can supply diesel to northern areas including Sylhet."
Numaligarh Refinery in the past have exported to Myanmar through roads directly from Numaligarh to Moreh, a distance of roughly 421 km.
NRL is increasing its capacity from 3 to 9 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum) with an investment of Rs 28,000 crore.
—The Economic Times (India)
