Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has signed an agreement with Pulchowk Engineering Campus to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for relocating the aviation fuel depot at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). This agreement was signed by NOC’s Deputy Director Pradeep Yadav and Associate Professor Narayan Prasad Gautam from the Pulchowk Campus Consultancy Services during an event held at the Sinamangal depot.
Key Highlights of the Relocation Plan
- Project Timeline and Budget: The DPR is set to be completed within six months, with NOC allocating NPR 19.88 million for the study.
- Relocation Site: A 50-ropani plot at Guhyeshwari, allocated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), will house the new depot. It will be built adhering to the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards.
- Safety Concerns: The current depot at Sinamangal poses risks due to its non-compliance with international standards. Deputy Director Yadav emphasized the need for relocation to maintain safety distances between the airport’s runway and taxiway, which currently fall short of the required 172.5 meters.
Limitations of the Existing Depot
The Sinamangal depot, operational for over 50 years, has a storage capacity of 7,660 kiloliters but struggles to meet the increasing demand. It consists of tanks with varying capacities, including three tanks of 1,600 kiloliters, three of 760 kiloliters, and eight of 70 kiloliters. Despite selling an average of 400 kiloliters of aviation fuel daily, its storage falls short of the 20-day supply needed to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Features of the New Depot
The modern facility at Guhyeshwari will feature five tanks, each with a capacity of 3,000 kiloliters, incorporating advanced technology for safer and more efficient operations.
Government Directives and Future Plans
In response to a directive from the Cabinet on July 28, NOC has expedited plans to relocate the depot within a year. The new depot, slated for completion by December 2027, aligns with CAAN’s airport expansion project aimed at increasing the capacity and safety of TIA’s air traffic.
Current NOC Infrastructure
Established in 1970, NOC oversees the import, storage, and distribution of petroleum products in Nepal. It operates 10 aviation fuel depots and two refueling stations across the country. The corporation sources fuel from the Indian Oil Corporation and manages storage facilities with a combined capacity of 60,384 kiloliters at key locations, including Biratnagar, Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bhairahawa.
This relocation project underscores Nepal’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety and accommodating growing air traffic demands at the country’s primary international gateway.
Source: RSS