Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney has said that the newly inaugurated bulk petroleum storage facility in Ladakh will significantly enhance fuel security and logistics in high-altitude and forward areas. The facility has been developed with the support of the Indian Army.
In a post on social media platform X, Sahney thanked Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for highlighting the initiative, noting that the Ladakh facility would strengthen energy security in challenging terrains and support Advanced Winter Stocking operations in forward locations. He added that Indian Oil remains committed to providing reliable energy solutions aligned with national priorities.
The inauguration of the facility was earlier announced by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who said the installation has been specifically engineered to function in extreme terrain and harsh climatic conditions. He emphasised that the facility would ensure uninterrupted fuel availability during prolonged winter months, enhancing operational readiness in high-altitude regions.
According to the minister, Indian Oil, in coordination with the Indian Army, has established the bulk petroleum storage facility to support Advanced Winter Stocking operations and improve logistical preparedness in forward areas. The infrastructure has been designed to withstand extreme weather while ensuring consistent fuel supply.
The facility is expected to strengthen fuel logistics for the Indian Army deployed in high-altitude regions and ensure uninterrupted supply for civilians, which is critical during winter months. The storage units feature advanced designs, are largely underground, and are built to offer high levels of safety, reliability, and operational efficiency in severe conditions.
Given Ladakh’s difficult terrain, where fuel transport involves long distances and is frequently disrupted by snowfall and road closures, strategic fuel storage is considered essential. The new infrastructure is expected to play an important role in maintaining the readiness of troops and armoured vehicles deployed near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The project is also aimed at boosting fuel self-reliance, reducing dependence on diesel generators, and improving military mobility in forward areas.
Indian Oil Corporation has had a long-standing presence in Ladakh since the 1970s, supporting both defence and civilian energy needs. The company operates a petroleum bulk storage depot near Leh at an altitude of over 3,400 metres and runs the world’s highest LPG bottling plant in Phey village, Leh district. The plant supplies LPG to the Indian Army and remote civilian areas and is now powered by solar energy, reducing diesel usage.
IOC has also introduced a special winter-grade diesel for Ladakh that remains operational at temperatures as low as minus 33 degrees Celsius, ensuring uninterrupted vehicle movement during extreme winters.
The new bulk petroleum storage facility, developed in close coordination with the Indian Army, is being seen as a key step toward securing fuel supply chains in Ladakh, supporting both national security requirements and the energy needs of local communities.
