APP – Managing Director Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt.) Limited (ISGSL) Mobin Saulat Thursday said laying of 427-kilometer Machike-Tarujabba oil pipeline, from Sheikhupura to Peshawar, would help avoid tragedies like Ahmedpur Sharqiya oil tanker rollover incident in which around 219 people had died and 59 were injured.
“The pipeline is of great importance and strategic nature as it will ensure smooth and safe supply of white oil products like High Speed Diesel and Motor Spirit Oil across the country,” the MD said while talking to APP here.
Terming the pipeline “backbone” for oil transportation, he said it would be the safest, efficient and reliable mode of supplying petroleum products, avoiding the incidents of spilling of oil and rolling-over of tankers frequently taking place in different localities.
Mobin Saulat said the ISGSL, working under the Ministry of Energy, had invited bids for construction of the pipeline from Machike (Sheikhupura) to Tarujabba (Peshawar) after the Economic Coordination Committee approved the project on November 1, 2017.
He said the pipeline would be constructed in three segments including Machike-Chakpirana (135-km of 18 inch diameter -proposed), Chakpirana to Rawat (117-km of 18 inch diameter- proposed) and Rawat to Tarujabba (175-km of 14 inch diameter-proposed).
The MD said the project would be implemented on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis having 15 years term through open tenders.
“The project will be capable of transporting dual oil products like HSD and MS oil from Machike to Taru Jabba via Chakpirana and Sihala depots, connecting the pipeline from Karachi to Peshawar,” he remarked.
