New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) To address problems faced by people of Ladakh due to loss of fluidity in Diesel fuel during extreme winter conditions, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched the the first Winter-Grade Diesel outlet for the region.
While inaugurating the outlet through video conferencing, he said that the winter grade diesel which has been produced by Panipat Refinery in Haryana for the first time has a pour point of (–) 33 degree Celsius and therefore does not lose its fluidity function even in the extreme winter weather of the region unlike the normal grade of Diesel which becomes exceedingly difficult to use in such conditions.
The Home Minister said that this Winter-Grade Diesel will not only smoothen the travel and transportation during peak tourist season in extreme cold, but will also help in giving a boost to tourism and supply needs of the people of the region and helping in the overall economic development.
This winter grade diesel also meets BIS specification of BS-VI grade diesel and has been successfully produced and certified for the first time by Panipat Refinery on November 8.
IndianOil’s top leadership after several interactions with customers and channel partners in the region received feedback about the difficulties of using diesel in winter months.
Subsequent supplies of winter grade diesel would be done from the Jalandhar POL Terminal from where this fuel grade would reach the Leh and Kargil Depot to meet demands of customers of Leh Ladakh region during peak winters.
Mr Shah said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government was committed since 2014 to bring the region of Ladakh at par with the rest of the country, which was neglected for the last 70 years.
He said that the abrogation of Article 370 was a step in that direction. He also said that by bringing change in the status of Ladakh and the enhanced budget, all round development of the region has been ensured.
In the last 5 years including the Srinagar-Leh Transmission Line for electricity, 14 Solar projects for Leh and Kargil, Ladakh University, 2 new degree colleges, 5 new Tourist Circuits and Tracks for tourists and mountaineers, subsidised helicopter sewa and upgradation of District Hospital has taken place as developmental measures for the region, Mr Shah said adding that the people of Ladakh, Leh and Kargil now enjoy same rights and will be an equal partner in the development of the country.
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, Member of Parliament from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and other senior officials of the Home Ministry and Petroleum Ministry were present on the occasion.
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