NDTV file photo.
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate the first India-Bangladesh energy pipeline via video conference on Saturday, PTI reported.
The cross-border pipeline has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 377 crore. This includes the expenditure of Rs 285 cores incurred on laying the line on the Bangladesh side.
The Ministry of External Affairs informed on Friday, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline on March 18 at 1700 hours (IST) via video conference."
"This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline, built at the cost of approximately ₹ 285 crores, has been borne by the government of India under grant assistance," the ministry said in its statement.
The pipeline has the capacity to transport one million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of high-speed diesel.
The pipeline, which has the capacity to transport one million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of high-speed diesel, will supply the same to seven districts of northern Bangladesh at first.
"The operation of the India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment-friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh and will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries," it said.