KOCHI: BPCL-Kochi Refinery has obtained environmental clearance to set up additional facilities to meet the Bharat Stage(BS)-VI auto fuel norms and to establish new Motor Spirit (MS) block, at a total cost of Rs 3,313 crore.
Under the Auto Fuel Vision and Policy-2025, the Central Government has laid down a roadmap for total transition to Bharat Stage(BS)-VI by April 2020, across the country.
Currently, the company is in the process of implementing the Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP) to enhance capacity from 9.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) to 15.5 MMTPA, and to upgrade auto fuel quality in line with the BS-IV and BS-V norms (partial).
“The project is a major step towards producing cleaner fuel. We are committed to completing the project by 2019,” BPCL-Kochi Refinery executive director Prasad K Panicker told Express.
Based on recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), the Environment Ministry accorded environment clearance for BPCL’s project to upgrade to BS-VI standard and to set up the MS block, subject to conditions. Around seven acres of land is required for the proposed BS-VI project.
The conditions specified by the Ministry include that after implementing the projects, BPCL’s water consumption from Periyar should not exceed 1,372.2 cubic meter per hour, and that it should obtain prior permission from the competent authority. The company has also been asked to adhere strictly to the stipulations made by various statutory authorities including the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
It has also been asked to identify locations for ‘ambient air quality monitoring’ stations, in consultation with the KSPCB, and to ensure that at least one station each is set up in the upwind and downwind directions.Another condition is that a separate environment management cell with full-fledged laboratory facilities be set up to facilitate environment management and monitoring functions.