KATHMANDU: The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is speeding up the development of a petroleum storage facility on the banks of the Rohini River near Rupandehi. According to Engineer Hiramani Khanal, the embankment work at the Rohini rivulet, which acts as the border between Omsatiya and Rohini rural communities, is currently 70% finished. This progress comes after assessing flood patterns over the past 50 years to ensure the embankment's resilience.
The new storage facility's site is advantageously positioned, with the Rohini rivulet on the north and west sides. To protect the facility, a retaining wall has been built on the northern side, supplemented with a gabion wall on the western side. The choice to develop here derives from the present Bhalbari depot's limited storage capacity and closeness to residential areas.
Once completed, the new facility will bolster petroleum storage capabilities in Lumbini Province, catering to 20 days of demand. The project, costing approximately Rs 3 billion, will feature three tanks capable of storing 2,100 kilolitres of diesel, two tanks for 1,600 kilolitres of petrol, and three tanks for 70 kilolitres of kerosene oil. Plans include relocating operations from the Bhalbari depot to this new site upon completion.
According to Project Coordinator Pradeep Yadav, Kathmandu University is planning the project, which is scheduled to be completed by mid-October. Construction will begin in November with the laying of the foundation stone, with completion scheduled for 2083 BS.
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