New Delhi, April 18 (NationPress) An extra 5,000 tonnes of diesel commenced its journey into Bangladesh from India via the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, significantly enhancing Dhaka’s fuel security in light of maritime uncertainties in West Asia that are impacting energy imports, according to reports.

As reported by the Bangla Tribune, citing the manager of the Parbatipur Padma Oil Depot in Dinajpur, Bangladesh, this latest shipment began arriving from Numaligarh in Assam on Thursday. The Numaligarh Refinery Limited, which has been operational since 1993, operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in India.

Sources informed the newspaper that Bangladesh has taken urgent measures to preserve oil reserves and ensure a steady supply. Previously, 8,000 metric tonnes of diesel reached the Parbatipur railhead depot on Tuesday from the Numaligarh Refinery.

Last month, a total of 22,000 metric tonnes of diesel was delivered, and on March 11, the first 5,000 metric tonnes arrived at the Dinajpur depot via the Friendship Pipeline. In total, 30,000 metric tonnes of diesel is set to be transported from India through the pipeline in April, according to depot sources.

Authorities at the Dinajpur depot mentioned to the Bangla Tribune on Friday that the delivery of 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel would take approximately 50 hours to reach its final destination. Furthermore, an additional 7,000 metric tonnes is expected from the Numaligarh Refinery within the next 4–5 days.

The new administration in Dhaka continues to import diesel from India via the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline to safeguard the country's energy security. This pipeline is viewed as a vital energy lifeline for Bangladesh, offering a faster, more cost-efficient, and reliable means of fuel transport compared to conventional shipping methods.

This infrastructure plays a key role in fostering energy cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi, aiding in the fulfillment of increasing domestic demand while stabilizing supply chains. Notably, the Friendship Pipeline was inaugurated virtually on March 18, 2023, by PM Modi and the then-Bangladesh Premier, Sheikh Hasina.

The foundation stone for this pipeline was laid by both Prime Ministers in September 2018. Since 2015, Numaligarh Refinery Limited has been supplying various petroleum products to Bangladesh, marking the second cross-border energy pipeline between India and its neighbors.

This pipeline is also the first cross-border energy conduit between India and Bangladesh, designed to transport 1 million metric tonnes per annum of high-speed diesel. During the inauguration, it was stated that Bangladesh is one of India’s primary development partners and the largest trading associate in the region.

The operationalization of the Friendship Pipeline aims to enhance the ongoing energy partnership between the two nations, providing a boost to Bangladesh’s growth, especially in the agriculture sector, as noted in the government release.

Amid current uncertainties, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has requested a USD 2 billion fund from development partners to address Dhaka’s immediate energy requirements and ensure economic stability during the ongoing global energy crisis, reported the Daily Star.