Harendra Kumar, Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the Eastern Zone, announced that around 33,327.64 KL of key oil products and 11,572.39 KL of bitumen will be necessary for BRO projects in Northeast India, with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) expected to supply a significant portion of these materials.
A BRO-IOCL Coordination Meeting was held to deliberate on both ongoing and upcoming infrastructure initiatives in the region.
ADGBR (East) highlighted that IOCL currently provides 70-80% of the primary oil and bitumen required by BRO, a critical contribution to the timely completion of essential road infrastructure in Northeast India. In the previous year, IOCL delivered over 84% of the High-Speed Diesel (HSD) needed for regional projects and over 51% of the bitumen.
Looking ahead to the current year, the required amounts for oil and bitumen remain high, with IOCL expected to continue playing a major role in meeting these demands. Despite difficulties in transportation—especially during the monsoon, which limits road access to remote areas—both organizations are determined to enhance delivery routes and address these challenges head-on.
The coordination meeting aimed to strengthen the partnership between BRO and IOCL, resolve outstanding issues, and plan for the seamless execution of future projects. Special attention was given to improving supply chains, particularly the use of smaller Bulk Petroleum Lorries (BPLs) to access more isolated areas.
In his closing remarks, the ADGBR (East) urged all attendees to actively engage in productive discussions to guarantee the smooth continuation of infrastructure projects across the region.
The collaboration between BRO and IOCL remains a key factor in improving connectivity and infrastructure development in the Northeastern states. The meeting ended on a positive note, with optimism for future projects and enhanced cooperation. Representatives from IOCL, including Satyendra Sahai, CGM (MCO), Debabrata Bandyopadhyay, GM (IB) WBSO, R.K. Shahab, GM (IB) AODSO, and senior officials from BRO, were present.