India and Nepal agrees to explore possibilities of lying pipelines for LPG and natural gas

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that India and Nepal have agreed to explore the possibilities of lying pipelines for LPG and natural gas for fertilizer plant and industries in Nepal.

Talking to media persons after having bilateral meeting with Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supply Matrika Prasad Yadav in Kathmandu, Mr. Pradhan said that Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation will work together on these projects.

During the meeting both the leaders had comprehensive review of bilateral energy cooperation and agreed to complete pipeline work from Motihari in Bihar to Amelkhgunj in Nepal at an early date. The 69 kilometer long Motihari-Amelkhgunj pipeline is being laid by India and it will ensure smooth, cost effective and environment friendly supply of petroleum products to Nepal.

Earlier Mr. Pradhan called on acting Prime Minister of Nepal, Ishwor Pokharel and discussed progress of the petroleum products pipeline and other oil and gas projects being carried out by India.He also met Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and discussed various bilateral issues. In the evening Mr. Pradhan met Minister for Education, Science and Technology Girirajmani Pokhrael and discussed areas of cooperation in Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

He will pay a courtesy call to President Bidya Devi Bhandari in short while from now. Later Petroleum Minister will offer prayers at famous Pashupatinath temple.On Saturday Mr. Pradhan will visit Janakpur and worship at historic Janaki temple. He will also visit identified site for proposed Skill Development Center in Dhanushadham.

Before returning to New Delhi Mr. Pradhan is scheduled to visit Amelkhganj to see the progress of Motihari-Amelkhganj oil pipeline. Mr. Pradhan had arrived in Kathmandu this morning on a two day visit to Nepal