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{{Short description|Oil pipeline in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox pipeline
| name = Kandla–Bhatinda Oil Pipeline
| type = Oil products
| photo =
| caption =
| map =
| map_caption = Location of Kandla–Bhatinda Oil Pipeline
| country = [[India]]
| coordinates =
| operator = [[Indian Oil Corporation]]
| partners =
| length_km = 1443
| discharge = 6 million metric tons per annum
| direction =
| start = [[Kandla]]
| finish = [[Bhatinda]]
| est = 1996
| through = [[Panipat]]
| par =
}}

The '''Kandla-Bhatinda Oil Pipeline''' (KBPL) is a petroleum pipeline system in India that transports crude oil and refined petroleum products across Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Commissioned in 1996, it has a total length of approximately 1,443 km. Its initial annual throughput capacity was 6 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), later upgraded to 8.8 MMTPA.<ref name="IOCL1">{{cite web|title=Petroleum Product Pipelines|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/petroleum-product-pipelines|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Route and configuration ==
The pipeline follows a strategic northwest route:

* '''Kandla (Gujarat)''' – origin at the Deendayal Port foreshore terminal, fed by oil jetties and Single-Point Mooring (SPM) facilities.<ref name="IOCL2">{{cite web|title=IndianOil Pipelines Division|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/Contents/Prestige_Publications/CoffeeTableBookPipelinesDivison17012023.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>
* '''Panipat (Haryana)''' – a major refinery and junction point; connected via a 1,113 km, 22-inch crude oil leg from Kandla.<ref name="IOCL3">{{cite web|title=Northern Region Pipelines (NRPL)|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/uploads/NRPL_Book_Single_page_file.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>
* '''Bhatinda (Punjab)''' – terminus via a 218 km, 14-inch product pipeline.<ref name="IOCL3">{{cite web|title=Northern Region Pipelines (NRPL)|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/uploads/NRPL_Book_Single_page_file.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

Additionally, a 112 km spur connects Kot (near Jodhpur) to Salawas, enhancing regional supply.<ref name="CAG05">{{cite web|title=Review of Pipelines Division – Northern Region|publisher=Comptroller and Auditor General of India|url=https://www.cag.gov.in/uploads/old_reports/union/union_compliance/2004_2005/Commercial_Audit/Report_No_6/Chapter_3.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Historical development ==

The pipeline was commissioned in phases between December 1995 and June 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parliamentary Q&A: Kandla–Bhatinda Pipeline Project|publisher=Parliament Digital Library|date=30 Jul 1991|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/14304/1/10_I_30071991_p78_p78_t137.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

* '''Phase I enhancement (1999)''': was implemented by adding pump stations at Sidhpur and Sanganer. This increased capacity to approximately 7.5 MMTPA at an additional cost of ₹42.62 [[crore]].<ref name="CAG05"/>

The Kandla-Panipat segment was initially built to transport petroleum products but was later converted to crude oil transport. The Panipat-Bhatinda section continues to carry refined products.<ref name="IOCL2">{{cite web|title=IndianOil Pipelines Division|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/Contents/Prestige_Publications/CoffeeTableBookPipelinesDivison17012023.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Ownership and administration ==

The pipeline is owned and operated by '''Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)''' through its Pipelines Division, which manages over 13,000 km of pipeline infrastructure across India<ref name="IOCL2">{{cite web|title=IndianOil Pipelines Division|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/Contents/Prestige_Publications/CoffeeTableBookPipelinesDivison17012023.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Technical features ==
* '''Length''': ~1,443 km
* Kandla–Panipat: 1,113 km (22")
* Panipat–Bhatinda: 218 km (14")
* Kot–Salawas Spur: 112 km (10.75")<ref name="CAG05"/>

* The pipeline includes pump stations such as Sanganer, a SCADA-based control system, cathodic protection, and storage terminals.<ref name="IOCL3">{{cite web|title=Northern Region Pipelines (NRPL)|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/uploads/NRPL_Book_Single_page_file.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Strategic importance ==

KBPL facilitates transportation of crude oil from Gujarat's coastal terminals to the inland Panipat refinery and the distribution of refined products to northern India. It reduces dependence on road and rail transport, thereby lowering logistical costs and environmental risks.<ref name="IOCL1">{{cite web|title=Petroleum Product Pipelines|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/petroleum-product-pipelines|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref><ref name="IOCL2">{{cite web|title=IndianOil Pipelines Division|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/Contents/Prestige_Publications/CoffeeTableBookPipelinesDivison17012023.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Performance and audit insights ==

Between 1999-2004, throughput ranged from '''5.0 to 6.9 MMT''', which was below the designed capacity.<ref name="CAG05"/>

The 2004-05 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reported the following:

* The Phase II expansion was not justified due to underutilization.
* ₹176.96 crore in bank guarantees was encashed compared to ₹10.45 crore actually required.
* An avoidable interest cost of ₹70.29 crore was incurred.<ref>{{cite news|title=CAG pulls up Indian Oil|newspaper=The Telegraph India|date=10 May 2005|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/business/cag-pulls-up-indian-oil/cid/877177|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Network integration ==
The pipeline was later integrated with the '''Mundra-Panipat crude pipeline project'''. A 74 km spur connects [[Mundra Port|Mundra port]] to Kandla, sharing the route to Panipat. This enhances import flexibility via Gujarat’s SPM and supports 499 KT crude storage at Mundra.<ref name="IOCL1">{{cite web|title=Petroleum Product Pipelines|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/petroleum-product-pipelines|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref><ref name="IOCL2">{{cite web|title=IndianOil Pipelines Division|publisher=IndianOil Corporation|url=https://iocl.com/Contents/Prestige_Publications/CoffeeTableBookPipelinesDivison17012023.pdf|access-date=2025-06-23}}</ref>

== Challenges and criticism ==
The project has been criticized for underutilization after expansion, excess spending on augmentation, and delays in contract execution. These issues have been cited in public audits as examples for improving infrastructure governance.
<ref name="CAG05"/>

== See also ==
* [[Indian Oil Corporation]]
* [[Panipat Refinery]]
* [[Petroleum in India]]

== References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kandla-Bhatinda Oil Pipeline}}
[[Category:Oil pipelines in India]]
[[Category:Indian Oil Corporation]]
[[Category:Economy of Kutch district]]
[[Category:Bathinda district]]
[[Category:Energy in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Energy in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Indian Oil Corporation buildings and structures]]
[[Category:Energy in Haryana]]
[[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 1996]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Haryana]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Gujarat]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Maharashtra]]

Kandla Bhatinda Oil Pipeline - Revision history

Ahmedabadwebdesigning at 06:06, 11 September 2025