New Delhi: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Maharatna and India’s second-largest government-owned downstream oil producer, has inaugurated advanced hydrant facilities at the new Manohar International Airport in north Goa.
The inauguration ceremony was led by Sukhmal Jain, Director (Marketing) of BPCL, and attended by Kanwarbir Singh Kalra, Deputy CEO of GMR Goa International Airport Ltd (GGIAL), along with other senior leaders from both BPCL and GGIAL.
“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,” said Sukhmal Jain. “This strategic expansion is aimed at meeting the growing refueling demands and ensuring seamless operations. BPCL remains committed to pioneering advancements that support the robust growth of the aviation sector, reinforcing our dedication to efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.”
The newly introduced hydrant system is part of BPCL’s strategic initiative to support the increasing fuel demands of the greenfield Manohar International Airport. The airport is set to complement the existing Naval airport in Dabolim, which has been limited by operational constraints affecting civil aircraft.
Spanning 6 acres, the hydrant fuel farm has a storage capacity of 8,270 KL and includes an intricate network of underground pipelines that connect to the airport’s 13 aircraft parking bays. The operation of the hydrant system is managed through a fully automated console, enhancing the efficiency and safety of the fuel distribution process.
In addition to the Manohar International Airport facilities, Aviation Fuelling Stations were virtually unveiled at nine other airports, increasing the number of BPCL-operated facilities to 75 airports across India.
This expansion aligns with the growth in India’s domestic air passenger traffic, which saw approximately 15.4 crore passengers during the fiscal year 2023-24, indicating a resurgence in air travel following recent global challenges.