Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Dedicates India’s Largest Public Sector Refinery To The Nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation an integrated refinery expansion complex of the state-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) at Kochi refinery, reports Economic Times.

He also laid the foundation stone for a petrochemical complex at the refinery and a skill development institute at Ettumanoor, besides inaugurating a mounted storage vessel at the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

The new complex will reportedly transform the Kochi refinery into the largest public sector refinery in the country, with world-class standards. It is equipped for production of cleaner fuels and will double the production of diesel and LPG. It will also commence production of feedstocks for petrochemical projects in the plant.

“Our endeavour is to make India a hub for the petrochemicals sector, “ the Prime Minister said.

Additionally, the storage capacity at the plant has been improved to meet the LPG requirement of nearly six days’ bottling capacity. The storage vessel is also expected to ensure the highest level of safety for the plant and adjacent areas.

The supply of LPG via a pipeline will bring down the movement of LPG tankers on roads. The petrochemical complex of the Kochi refinery is a ‘Make in India’ initiative aimed at cutting imports.

The skill institute has been set up on an eight-acre campus allocated by the state government and can skill around 1,000 youths annually in 20 different vocations.