KOCHI: With the People’s Combine Against the Puthuvype LPG Terminal deciding to intensify their protest against the terminal, India Oil Corporation (IOC), in a statement, clarified the shifting of the terminal to Ambalamedu is not technically feasible. The total cost of the project is Rs 715 crore and the corporation has already spent Rs 326 crore on it. The storage terminal was constructed at an expense of Rs 156 crore, while the Multi-User Liquid Terminal (MULT) Jetty was completed after spending Rs 170 crore.
As LPG is colourless and odourless, a sulphur-based chemical, Ethyl Mercaptan, is added to LPG to detect the same in case of leakages. The constituents of LPG - Propane and Butane - will be brought in ship tankers to the MULT Jetty. They need to be stored separately in dedicated storage vessels, blended and then mixed with Ethyl Mercaptan at the storage terminal. It is unsafe to transport the odourless LPG to Ambalamedu, which is far away from the city, it stated.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had last December granted nod to continue with the project. As per CRZ notification, storage of LPG is permitted in the coastal areas. The NGT had dismissed the allegation the plant will pose threat to life and property. The IOC has taken all safety measures, including steps to prevent sea erosion, said IOC general manager S Dhanapandian.
The Supreme Court also upheld the Environmental Clearance granted to the project. At present, there is no hitch to go ahead with the project, he said. The IOCL, BPCL, Petronet LNG and Cochin Port Trust have joined hands with IIT Madras for construction of a series of groynes to protect the shore in the coastal areas of Puthuvype. The IIT has recommended to build ‘short groynes’ and the NGT has endorsed the same.
The total cost of the project is Rs 715 crore and the corporation has already spent Rs 326 crore on it. The storage terminal was constructed at an expense of Rs 156 crore, while the Multi-User Liquid Terminal (MULT) Jetty was completed after spending Rs 170 crore.