Lok Sabha Question No. 102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Dakshina Kannada as an Energy and Petroleum Logistics Hub
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 102 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  JANUARY, 2026

## DAKSHINA KANNADA AS AN ENERGY AND PETROLEUM LOGISTICS HUB

102. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government recognizes the strategic role of Dakshina Kannada as a major energy  gateway  on  the  western  coast,  particularly  in  view  of  the  refining  capacity  at Mangalore  Refinery  and  Petrochemicals  Limited  (MRPL),  Liquefied  Natural  Gas  (LNG) handling potential and proximity to international shipping routes, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether adequate port-linked infrastructure including dedicated crude and product berths, evacuation facilities and last-mile connectivity from New  Mangalore  Port is being strengthened  to  enhance  refinery  throughput  and  reduce  logistics  costs,  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(c)  whether the Government proposes to expand slurry, crude oil or multi-product pipeline networks connecting Mangaluru with hinterland demand centres to improve energy security and operational efficiency, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the timelines and investment outlay envisaged for positioning Mangaluru as an integrated petroleum, petrochemicals and energy logistics hub of national importance?

## ANSWER पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛमंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (d):  Dakshina Kannada District has a vital role as a major energy hub due to factors like geographical advantage, presence of major port New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), presence of 15 MMPTA capacity oil refinery (MRPL) and Oil companies like HPCL, IOC, BPCL, GAIL-Mangalore, IOC ATF Plant, etc.

New Mangalore Port is catering to the needs of MRPL and other oil companies by providing adequate infrastructure for handling crude and products. The port is having 5 deep draft oil berths and 1 SPM, out of which 2 berths (No. 10 & 11) and SPM are dedicated for handling crude and POL products  for MRPL. In addition to  the above,  3  Multi  User Liquid  Berths (No.9, 12 & 13) are provided for handling POL products. All these berths are equipped with automated mechanized evacuation facility through pipelines.

Government of India (GoI), through a Special Purpose Vehicle called Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL), has established Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) facilities with total capacity of 5.33 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of crude oil at 3 locations namely (i) Vishakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), (ii) Mangaluru (1.5 MMT) and (iii) Padur (2.5  MMT)  which  can  act  as  buffer  for  short-term  supply  disruptions.  Further,  HPCL commissioned  an  underground  cavern  storage  facility  of  80  TMT  capacity  at  Mangalore, Karnataka.

Petronet Mangalore Hassan Bangalore Pipeline multi-product pipeline is used for transportation of MS, HSD and ATF to different locations across the state for distribution of Petroleum products.  Towards  improving  energy  security, port connectivity  and  operational efficiency MRPL has decided to invest in projects worth Rs 714 crore towards for positioning Mangaluru as an integrated petroleum, petrochemicals and energy logistic hub.

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