New Delhi: Engineers India Limited (EIL) on Thursday said it has successfully executed the development of the country’s largest underground rock cavern for LPG storage for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) at Mangalore, Karnataka.
The cavern, constructed within the premises of an existing LPG plant, has a storage capacity of 80,000 metric tonnes, making it the single largest LPG cavern in India. According to the company, this is the first-of-its-kind project where the cavern has been excavated beneath pre-existing surface facilities, allowing dual use of land and optimising space utilisation.
EIL acted as the EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) consultant for the project. Its role included project management and coordination of all activities, basic and detailed engineering of the cavern and associated facilities, construction supervision to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards, and commissioning assistance, culminating in the “gas-in” of the facility.
“This project is a shining example of engineering excellence and collaborative execution of a complex mega project. The successful completion of this cavern will significantly strengthen India’s LPG storage infrastructure and ensure energy security for the nation,” EIL’s Chairman and Managing Director Vartika Shukla said.
India is one of the world’s largest consumers of LPG, with demand growing consistently in recent years, driven by household consumption under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and rising industrial usage. Expansion of storage infrastructure is critical to maintaining supply security and meeting the growing demand.
The new cavern at Mangalore is expected to add to the country’s strategic LPG storage capacity and enhance resilience in the distribution chain.
