The government will appoint a consultant for construction of a 250 km-long fuel pipeline between Chittagong and Dhaka by the end of February, sources in the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) told The Independent yesterday. The direct petroleum fuel pipeline will supply imported fuel and crude oil from Chittagong to the capital city, saving both time and money. The BPC has received Expression of Interest (EoI) from 18 different companies and the selection process is in the final stages, informed Mustafa Qudrat Elahi, BPC General Manager (Planning and Development). Elahi also mentioned that the BPC, using its own manpower and expertise, has conducted a feasibility study of the project. “The government would spend around Tk1200 crore on setting up the pipeline, but would eventually save Tk130 crore annually,” he said, adding, “The pipeline will also ensure fuel security by supplying fuel much faster.” He said the fuel pipeline would be installed on the roadside instead of acquiring land for the purpose, which is expected to be completed in 2017. A high official with the Economic and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) said the Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) could implement the project following the deposit  work system as the BPC has no experience in this regard. “We are considering involving GTCL with the project”, said the EMRD official. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has also undertaken another project to install a 16 km fuel pipeline from Kanchan Bridge to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at an estimated cost of Tk40 crore, informed the ministry official.