Five Thousand Tons of Diesel Arrive from India

A significant consignment of diesel has arrived in Bangladesh from Numaligarh Refinery in Assam, India, via pipeline, reinforcing the country’s energy supply chain in the north. Over the course of two days—Monday and Tuesday—a total of 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel reached the Parbatipur railhead depot in Dinajpur. On Wednesday evening (11 March), Ahsan Habib, manager of the depot, confirmed that the entire shipment had been safely stored in the depot’s storage facilities.

Mr Habib explained that the diesel took approximately 60 hours to travel through the pipeline directly from Numaligarh Refinery to Parbatipur, highlighting the efficiency of the supply route.

The pipeline arrangement stems from a 15-year bilateral agreement signed on 22 October 2017 between Bangladesh and India. The agreement was designed to ensure steady diesel supplies to eight agriculturally dependent northern districts, maintain uninterrupted irrigation and transport services, and reduce logistical risks during periods of political activity. According to the terms of the agreement, Bangladesh is set to receive 180,000 metric tonnes of diesel via pipeline this year, continuing until 2026.

The pipeline runs from Numaligarh in Assam to the Parbatipur railhead in Dinajpur, bypassing potential transport bottlenecks and mitigating risks associated with rail and road transport.

Diesel Supply via Pipeline (2023–2026)

As per the 2026 plan, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has already received 5,000 metric tonnes by February. The total import expenditure is estimated at Tk 1,462 crore, partially funded by BPC’s own resources, with the remainder financed through bank loans.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Energy has approved a proposal for the BPC to import an additional 50,000 metric tonnes of diesel over the next four months via the same pipeline.

Analysts note that the pipeline supply system is critical for ensuring energy security in northern Bangladesh, supporting agriculture, industrial activities, and vehicle operations while reducing risks related to transportation disruptions. This initiative underscores the strategic importance of India-Bangladesh energy cooperation and provides a robust mechanism for stabilising diesel supply in the region.

This latest shipment demonstrates the continued reliability of the pipeline, which has become a cornerstone of the country’s northern energy infrastructure.