Engineers India Limited (EIL) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the field of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) by successfully completing the world’s longest HDD crossing. The remarkable feat involved a pullback of a 4,058-meter pipeline across the Brahmaputra River, setting a new global record for a 26-inch pipeline diameter.
This historic achievement surpasses EIL’s previous record of a 4,027-meter crossing at the Ganga River, also part of the same project. This reinforces EIL’s reputation for engineering excellence, showcasing its ability to innovate and execute complex projects in challenging terrains.
The project in focus, the Paradip–Numaligarh Crude Oil Pipeline (PNCPL), spans 1,635 kilometers and serves as a strategic energy corridor. Developed for Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), the pipeline facilitates the transport of imported crude oil from Paradip Port in Odisha to Assam. It crosses multiple states including Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and the Northeast, playing a pivotal role in enhancing India’s energy security. This infrastructure is not only crucial for NRL’s refinery expansion plans but also expected to spur significant regional economic growth and employment opportunities.
The successful completion of this ambitious pipeline project marks a significant advancement in developing the North East and reinforces the nation’s infrastructure capabilities. The project’s success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the NRL team, EIL’s executing contractor, and various stakeholders who played vital roles in overcoming the geographical and technical challenges.
This achievement by EIL is a testament to India’s growing proficiency in managing and executing technologically advanced and strategically vital infrastructure projects. It also exemplifies the potential for future projects that can leverage similar technologies and methodologies to further bolster the nation’s infrastructure development. EIL’s accomplishment is a beacon of India’s engineering potential on the global stage, promising more innovative undertakings in the future.
