Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), India’s second-largest government-owned downstream oil producer, has inaugurated state-of-the-art hydrant facilities at the newly established Manohar International Airport in North Goa.
The inauguration was led by Sukhmal Jain, Director (Marketing) at BPCL, in the presence of Kanwarbir Singh Kalra, Deputy CEO of GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL), along with other senior leaders from BPCL and GGIAL.
This advanced hydrant facility is a strategic initiative by BPCL to meet the rapidly growing refuelling demands at the new greenfield airport. Manohar International Airport supplements Goa’s existing Naval airport in Dabolim, which has been constrained by limited operational hours for civil aircraft. The commencement of operations at Manohar International Airport has led to an increase in combined traffic at both airports.
Jain stated that the inauguration of these state-of-the-art hydrant facilities at Manohar International Airport marks a significant step in BPCL’s journey to enhance aviation infrastructure in India. He emphasised that this strategic expansion aims to meet the growing refuelling demands and ensure seamless operations, reflecting BPCL’s commitment to pioneering advancements that support the robust growth of the aviation sector, while reinforcing their dedication to efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.
Spanning across 6 acres, the hydrant fuel farm features a storage capacity of 8,270 KL. The system includes an intricate network of underground pipelines connecting seamlessly to the airport’s 13 aircraft parking bays. The entire operation is meticulously managed through a fully automated console, ensuring efficiency and safety in fuel distribution.
In addition to the inauguration at Manohar International Airport, aviation fueling stations were virtually unveiled at nine other airports, bringing the total number of BPCL-operated facilities to an impressive 75 nationwide.
This expansion occurs as India’s domestic air passenger traffic continues to rise. Recent statistics indicate that India saw approximately 154 million domestic air passengers during the fiscal year 2023-24, signifying a notable resurgence in air travel.
