KOCHI: A public meeting to collect evidence on enhancing the capacity of the LPG bottling plant of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Udayamperoor was held at the collectorate conference hall on Thursday.
Deputy Collector M.P. Jose chaired the meeting, and IOC deputy general manager C.N. Rajendran presented the project report.
State Pollution Control Board senior scientist Mini Mary Sam and senior engineer M.N. Baiju, members of the public, people’s representatives, environmental activists, and representatives of the agency that conducted the environmental impact assessment also attended the meeting.
Construction of tanks for enhancing the capacity of the plant from the existing 1,050 metric tones to 4,650 tonnes is in progress. Three tanks of 1,200 metric tonne capacity are being constructed. The existing tanks can store LPG enough for only two days, whereas the new tanks can store it for a week.
Mr. Rajendran said that the new tanks were being constructed in compliance with security measures on par with global standards. Gas cylinders for 20 lakh consumers are now being filled at the Udayamperoor plant. However, this often proves inadequate during festival seasons.
The plant accounts for distribution to Ernakulam, Kottayam, and Idukki districts and parts of Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, and Malabar.
It was said that the capacity of the bottling plant should be enhanced to completely utilise the ongoing expansion project worth ₹12,000 crore at Kochi Refineries.
The bottling plant functions on a plot of 79 acres, and no land was acquired for the expansion project. The expansion entails neither additional water nor power consumption, while no solid waste will be generated, IOC officials said. The enhanced capacity will reduce the movement of bullet tankers on roads.
Mr. Rajendran pledged support if the government shifted a transformer in the area.
Mr. Rajendran said people living near the bottling plant at Udayamperoor will be given insurance coverage.
