Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) has launched a special winter-grade diesel for the high altitude regions of Ladakh. Motorists in high-altitude sectors like Ladakh, Kargil, Kaza and Keylong face the problem of freezing of diesel in their vehicles when winter temperatures drop to as low as -30 degree Celsius. The winter-grade diesel with a low pour-point of -33 degree Celsius, does not lose its fluidity function even in extreme winter conditions.
Indian Oil’s winter-grade diesel meets BIS specifications and has been produced and certified by the company’s Panipat refinery on 8 November. The brand has made arrangements for pumping winter-grade diesel from Panipat Refinery to Jalandhar and onward to Leh depot by road for regular availability of the product in the highest altitude petrol pumps at Leh-Ladakh. The expected sale of winter-grade diesel shall be approximately 4 lakh litres for the period of December to March.
Speaking on the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, said “Today is an important day for the people of Ladakh region as they will now get uninterrupted supply of special winter-grade diesel, which will help reduce the hardships faced by the local people for transportation and mobility during the harsh winter months. This will further facilitate the local economy as well as tourism of the region.”
