+
BPCL halts Kochi polyol plant ops
ECONOMY & POLICY

BPCL halts Kochi polyol plant ops

Indian public sector oil and gas company Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has halted a planned speciality petrochemicals plant for producing polyols at its Kochi refinery as the state-run firm prefers to wait for the outcome of the privatisation bid currently underway before proceeding on the Rs 11,130 crore project.

The project is to be built on 170 acres of land adjoining the refinery that was acquired by BPCL from Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT), also a central PSU. It was put in motion in January 2019.

After completing land levelling work for erecting the plant, BPCL halted the construction of a road underpass to link the project site with the refinery, sources in the Kochi refinery said.

The licensor selection process for sourcing technology for the polyol plant has also been frozen.

Sources said all project-related activities have been halted. The BPCL management feels that given the huge investment involved, it would be appropriate to move ahead with the project only with the consent of the company's private owner following strategic disinvestment, said sources.

The polyol plant's uncertainty has cast a shadow over the petrochemical park planned by the Kerala government where small industries will manufacture products utilising niche/speciality petrochemicals sourced from the polyol plant and the Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical Project (PDPP).

The BPCL-built PDPP with an investment of Rs 75,246 crore, is expected to be commissioned by February end.

Other projects

The centre's decision to transfer 170 acres of land belonging to FACT to BPCL with Kerala government's approval for building the polyol plant, has also come under criticism as the land will pass on to private hands following disinvestment.

BPCL has also halted work on a skill development centre for training students passing out of the ITI at Ettumanoor near Kochi. The state had offered eight acres of land at ITI for a centre that planned to train 1,500 students a year.

Kerala government officials took an anti-privatisation stance and said that BPCL should not be privatised, in the interests of the state's development.

Indian public sector oil and gas company Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has halted a planned speciality petrochemicals plant for producing polyols at its Kochi refinery as the state-run firm prefers to wait for the outcome of the privatisation bid currently underway before proceeding on the Rs 11,130 crore project.The project is to be built on 170 acres of land adjoining the refinery that was acquired by BPCL from Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT), also a central PSU. It was put in motion in January 2019. After completing land levelling work for erecting the plant, BPCL halted the construction of a road underpass to link the project site with the refinery, sources in the Kochi refinery said. The licensor selection process for sourcing technology for the polyol plant has also been frozen. Sources said all project-related activities have been halted. The BPCL management feels that given the huge investment involved, it would be appropriate to move ahead with the project only with the consent of the company's private owner following strategic disinvestment, said sources. The polyol plant's uncertainty has cast a shadow over the petrochemical park planned by the Kerala government where small industries will manufacture products utilising niche/speciality petrochemicals sourced from the polyol plant and the Propylene Derivatives Petrochemical Project (PDPP). The BPCL-built PDPP with an investment of Rs 75,246 crore, is expected to be commissioned by February end. Other projects The centre's decision to transfer 170 acres of land belonging to FACT to BPCL with Kerala government's approval for building the polyol plant, has also come under criticism as the land will pass on to private hands following disinvestment. BPCL has also halted work on a skill development centre for training students passing out of the ITI at Ettumanoor near Kochi. The state had offered eight acres of land at ITI for a centre that planned to train 1,500 students a year. Kerala government officials took an anti-privatisation stance and said that BPCL should not be privatised, in the interests of the state's development.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?