Supratim Dey / Kolkata/ Guwahati September 13
Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), also known as the Assam gas cracker project, is mulling over shipping its ‘over dimension consignments’ (ODC) and heavy equipment through waterways via Bangladesh.
BC Tripathi, while interacting with media persons here, told that movement of heavy and over dimension consignments are posing a big challenge for the company. Hence, BCPL, he said, is planning to ship such equipment and consignments through waterways via Bangladesh.
He said that since waterways protocol was in place between North-East India and Bangladesh, it would not be a major problem for BCPL to ship its consignments.
“Over dimension consignments are a major issue in taking the project forward. Logistical arrangements for the project are difficult in the North Eastern Region. This is particularly true for heavy engineering equipment,” said Tripathi.
The ODCs would be shipped from Haldia port in West Bengal to Assam via sea and then through the Brahmaputra. The Rs 5,460-crore project would come up at Lepetkata in Dibrugarh district in Upper Assam.
Trpathi, who earlier chaired the 2nd AGM (annual general meeting) of BCPL, said that the company will spend Rs 896 crore on the project activities during 2009-10.
He said that BCPL has so far made a total financial commitment of around Rs 1,720 crore for the project. Final basic design and engineering packages for all units have been received and accordingly material requisition and ordering of equipment are in progress. The company has placed orders of over Rs 990 crore and tendering of other items to the tune of Rs 1,400 crore is in process. Site delivery will progressively start from May 2010 and is likely to be completed by September 2011.
Various site activities such as administrative block building, site grading, plant building and non-plant building works, product warehouse, piling works and boundary wall for township had started at site, said Tripathi. Around 700 people are expected to get direct employment once the project is completed. Tripathi denied that the project was running behind schedule and said that it would be commissioned by April 2012.
BCPL is promoted by Gail India Limited (GAIL) with 70 per cent equity participation and the remaining 30 per cent equity is shared equally among Oil India Limited (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and the Government of Assam.
Social Plugin