Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Sushanta Chowdhury, was briefed about the updates on the progress of the Sekerkote Depot project during a meeting with authorities from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) held at the conference hall of Khadya-o-Bhokta Bhavan.
Chowdhury told reporters that in the year 2022, IOCL initiated a project with a budget exceeding Rs 500 crore to establish a depot with a substantial capacity of 21,000 kiloliters at Sekerkote. He noted that while construction had been underway for some time, approximately 30% of the project has been completed. However, the minister acknowledged the existence of challenges, specifically citing issues related to land acquisition and financial matters that require resolution for the seamless continuation and timely completion of the project.
During the meeting, which included representatives from both IOCL and state government officials, discussions centered on addressing these challenges to ensure the successful and expedited completion of the Sekerkote Depot project.
Minister Chowdhury emphasized the significance of the project in addressing logistical issues faced during rainy seasons. He explained that the precarious road conditions during such periods make the transportation of petrol and diesel via roadways exceptionally challenging. Consequently, this often results in an artificial shortage of these essential commodities, causing hardships for consumers. With the completion of the Sekerkote Depot project, the minister asserted that such situations could be averted, as a substantial quantity of both petrol and diesel could be stored as a buffer stock.
Looking ahead, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury shared insights into the potential benefits of the completed project. He revealed that once Sekerkote Depot is operational, the state aims to maintain a buffer stock that would be sufficient for at least 30 days. This strategic approach aims to mitigate the impact of logistical challenges during adverse weather conditions.
Furthermore, Chowdhury disclosed that the IOCL authorities have proposed the possibility of exporting oil to Bangladesh in the future. While contingent on successful project completion and operational efficiency, such a move could have broader economic implications and enhance cross-border collaboration in the energy sector.
Key individuals present at the meeting included IOCL Chief General Manager (Operations) Nitin Bhatnagar, Deputy Manager (Operations) Deepak Kumar Pathak, Public Works Department Chief Architect Rajeev Debbarma, and Director of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Nirmal Adhikari, among others. The collaborative efforts between the state government and IOCL reflect a commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring the successful establishment of the Sekerkote Depot, ultimately contributing to the state’s energy security and addressing logistical hurdles in the transportation of petroleum products.
