A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for the relocation of the aviation fuel depot near Tribhuvan International Airport in Sinamangal.

The DPR for relocating the fuel depot prepared by the Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk was made public on Thursday. Prof Dr. Suraj Lamichhane, Assistant Dean, Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk handed over the DPR to Engineer Pradip Kumar Yadav, chief of aviation fuel depot, Sinamangal amidst a function.

The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has initiated the process of relocating the fuel depot near Tribhuvan Airport in Sinamangal to a new location after the government decision.

As per the policy decision of the Cabinet on August 12, 2024, this depot is being shifted to the Nepal Army Golf Club in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-8, Guheshwori. The NOC had signed an agreement with Tribhuvan University Institute of Engineering (Consultancy Services) Pulchowk on November 20, 2024 to prepare a DRP for the relocation of the depot.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal is constructing a taxiway in the course of expanding the airport as per the international standards. Due to this, the situation arose to relocate the aviation depot.

Receiving the DPR, Engineer Yadav said that the Institute of Engineering Pulchowk was able to prepare the DPR and handed it over in time. He said that the new depot will be constructed in a manner that is completely safe, technologically advanced providing a long-term solution.

“We are going to construct a safe and technologically advanced depot that is in line with international standards,” he added. He expressed his commitment to complete the construction of new depot by 2027.

Cost estimates Rs. 6.54 billion

As per the DPR, the proposed depot to be built will be equipped with state-of-the-art and fully automated L3 Level Automation. Five vertical tanks of 3,000 KL each will be constructed for fuel storage in this depot and there will be a vacant land for the expansion of storage capacity in the future as well.

The aviation fuel storage capacity of the proposed depot will be two and half times higher than the existing capacity of the Sinamangal depot, Yadav told The Rising Nepal. The capacity of the Sinamangal depot stands at 6,000 KL. The storage capacity of new depot will be 15,000 KL.

"Once the new depot is operational, the aviation fuel storage will cover at least 22 days of consumption, based on current aviation fuel consumption. Currently, about 700 kiloliters of aviation fuel is being consumed daily," he said.

Under this project, six and eight bays will be constructed for fuel loading and unloading, seven Pit Hydrant Refueling system and two Refueling Dispensers will also be constructed for fueling international flights. For fire safety, the depot will have two static water tanks of 2,100 kg capacity each and a fully automated Fire Fighting system.

Similarly, the proposed depot will have an administrative building, laboratory building, maintenance yard, and a separate building for the Nepali Army deployed for the security of the depot. The construction cost of the depot, which is to be built in full compliance with international standards API, OISD, is estimated at Rs. 6.54 billion.

So far, site clearance work has progressed, separating four forts at the depot construction site and removing bushes. He asked the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal for completing work of site clearance for the construction of the depot at the earliest.

Yadav said that the Corporation, after studying the DPR, has allocated the budget for the current fiscal year 2025/26 and invited ICB bids by mid-September this year as per the Public Procurement Act and Regulations to be followed by bid evaluation and other processes within two months. The Corporation plans to start the construction work in the month of December this year and complete the construction within two years (December 2027), said Yadav.

By Laxman Kafle