IOL invests crores on green mission

Kolkata: Indian Oil Limited is investing around Rs 1,000 crore in the state in the next two years, the majority of the funds will be used for green initiatives.

The centre is inclined towards introducing BS VI vehicles in the days to come.

In BS IV vehicles there is presence of 50 ppm (parts per million ) sulphur while in BS VI it will be 10 ppm.

According to Indian Oil Limited officials if BS IV vehicles are filled with BS VI standard fuel then there will be hardly any reduction in pollution level.

In order to solve this problem the Indian Oil Limited is planning to come up with a Diesel Emission Additive Plant at Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas, which will reduce the pollution level of BS IV fuel. The investment for the project will be to the tune of Rs 150 crore. The project is awaiting clearance from the ministry level.

"We will be supplying BS VI standard fuel from all outlets of IOL from April 2020. The infrastructure for this is being developed. We are spending Rs 500 crores for this project in Haldia," said Pritish Bharat, Indian Oil Limited executive director (Bengal state office).

The number of Indian Oil Limited petrol pumps in the state is 1,200 of which 700 pumps have been fitted with solar panels. Another 300 pumps will have solar panels by next year, which will entail an investment of Rs 100 crore.

The number of LPG consumers in the state is presently 2.09 crore which is 94 percent of the population. The overall percentage in the country is 96 percent.

The Indian Oil Limited is also working upon reducing pollution from fuel of ships.