The 5.77 km pipeline, finished three months early under a Tk 170 crore project, will directly supply jet fuel to Shah Amanat Airport and Zahurul Haque Air Base. It can transport 140 cubic metres per hour, reducing tanker use and saving Padma Oil around Tk 8 crore annually.
Padma Oil Company Limited, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, is set to inaugurate tomorrow a newly built pipeline to supply jet fuel directly to Shah Amanat International Airport and Zahurul Haque Air Base in Chattogram.
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The 5.77-kilometre-long, 8-inch diameter pipeline runs from Padma Oil’s main depot in Patenga to the airport. With a carrying capacity of 140 cubic metres of jet fuel per hour, the pipeline will be able to meet the airport’s daily demand of 200,000–250,000 litres of jet fuel within just two hours. During the Hajj season, when demand rises to 300,000 litres, the system will ensure uninterrupted supply.
The Tk 170 crore project, officially titled “Jet A-1 Pipeline from MI to Shah Amanat International Airport, Chattogram,” began on 19 December 2023. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2025, it was completed three months ahead of schedule, saving nearly Tk 11 crore in project costs.
Currently, 10–12 tankers carry jet fuel every day from Padma Oil’s depot to the airport. Once the pipeline becomes operational, this need will be eliminated, ensuring smoother and safer transportation. Padma Oil estimates the new system will save the company around Tk 8 crore annually in transportation costs.
Engineer Anup Kumar Barua, project director and assistant general manager of Padma Oil, said, “Because of proper planning, we were able to complete the work ahead of schedule, which also helped us save on the project budget.”
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Md. Mofizur Rahman, managing director of Padma Oil Company, added, “As per the directive of the energy ministry, this project was undertaken to modernise fuel transportation and ensure safety. With Shah Amanat airport under the pipeline network, we will be able to deliver fuel more efficiently and cost-effectively.”
The pipeline is expected to significantly modernise fuel supply operations and enhance safety for one of Bangladesh’s busiest airports.