g]kfndf k]6«f]lnod kbfy{sf] ;xh cfk"lt{ ;'lglZrt ug{ g]kfn / ef/taLr /S;f}n–cdn]vu~h kfOknfOg kl/of]hgfsf] lgdf{0f;DaGwL ;Demf}tfdf x:tfIf/kl5 ;Demf}tf kq cfbfgk|bfg ug{'x'Fb} jfl0fHo tyf cfk"lt{ dGqL ;'lgnaxfb'/ yfkf / ef/tsf k]6«f]lnod tyf k|fs[lts Uof; /fHodGqL wd{]Gb| k|wfg . tl:a/ M /Tg >]i7, /f;; Nepal's Commerce and Supplies Minister Sunil Thapa shakes hands with India's Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after signing a deal on pipeline construction in Kathmandu on Monday. Photo: RSS
Nepal and India have signed an agreement to construct a 41km-long petroleum pipeline.

The agreement has been seen as a milestone in ensuring unhindered supply of petroleum products to Nepal.

Nepal's Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Thapa signed the agreement with India's Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Kathmandu on Monday.

The construction of the pipeline from India's Raxaul to Nepal's Amlekhgunj will cost Rs 2.75 billion. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has agreed to provide Rs two billion for it in exchange for Nepal's commitment to buy petroleum products from India for at least 15 years.

The construction is expected to be completed within three years.

After signing the agreement, Commerce and Supplies Minister Thapa said: "This is a historic day, our 20-year-old dream is now finally being realised."

Indian Petroleum Minister Thapa said: "We are desperate to see this project's completion."

When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal last year, Nepal had requested India to partner on construction of Raxaul-Amalkehgunj petroleum pipeline construction.

Fuel shortage has been a chronic problem in Nepal with political parties often calling strikes and hindering the import of petroleum products. The pipeline will help ease the import of petroleum products and reduce chances of adulteration.