US$ 46m aviation fuel pipeline to BIA

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management ( CCEM) headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe approved the construction of a Jet A- 1 ( aviation fuel) pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The US$ 46 million (approx. Rs 7 billion) project was approved following a feasibility study undertaken in 20152016.

Petroleum Resources Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said several foreign lending agencies have come forward to fund the project on favourable terms.

He said the present capacity for aviation fuel is insufficient to meet the growing demand, as the fuel is transported by rail wagons and road tankers. “By 2020, we will have a bigger demand and the new pipeline will facilitate to meet this demand. It will also reduce cost and risks associated with importation, handling, storage and transportation of Jet A- 1, and hence, reduce prices too.

He added there will be no land acquisition for this project.

Road Development Authority (RDA) Chairman Nihal Sooriyaarachchi said that, even though the RDA has no objection to the pipeline going parallel to the airport expressway, it has given conditional approval for it.

These include a guarantee there will be maximum safety features in place, as well as no damage to RDA property.

“We have also requested for a new Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) before the project is undertaken,” he added.

An estimated saving of about US$ 3 million is envisaged due to a reduction of about 3.5 km in the length of the pipeline, along the service corridor of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, and also due to lesser capacity of pumps and related equipment.

Meanwhile, the RDA has also asked that a separate service corridor be given for future road projects which can be used by the CEB, LECO, Water Board, Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobile Service Providers etc.