A conflict has surfaced between government agencies regarding the 62-kilometer Amlekhgunj–Lothar petroleum pipeline extension. Parsa National Park (PNP) has made its approval of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) conditional upon the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) installing a separate water pipeline for wildlife parallel to the fuel line. Chief Conservation Officer Ram Chandra Khatiwada said building both at once would reduce future costs and address long-standing water shortages for wildlife. The project’s cost estimate includes Rs 4.28 billion for the pipeline and Rs 9.80 billion for the storage terminal, totaling Rs 14 billion. NOC officials worry the added requirement may delay the project further.
