India hails boost from new oil pipeline

NEW DELHI, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Indian state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. hailed the benefits of the 655-mile Mundra-Delhi oil pipeline, saying it boosts its operations in the north.

HPCL constructed the $358.6 million project to bring European-grade petroleum products from Arabian ports to the Indian capital. The route diversifies Indian oil transports, which were handicapped by massive labor strikes in January.

The pipeline connects several supply centers in western India to northern parts of the country by transporting petrol, diesel and kerosene, the Press Trust of India reported Wednesday.

HPCL was forced to swap petroleum products with other national companies to supply its retail gasoline stations. HPCL operates around 8,000 gasoline stations in India, selling about 82.5 million barrels of product each year.

The company operates about 1,200 miles of pipeline in India when considering the Mundra-Delhi pipeline.

Ruling coalition Chair Sonia Gandhi inaugurated Mundra-Delhi Tuesday. It is the longest cross-country pipeline in India.