Oil and Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off 30 vehicles from Bhubaneswar as part of “Jana Amantran karyakram Shubarambha”.
These vehicles will traverse to all parts of the State to create public awareness about the inauguration of Paradip Refinery and the benefits that will flow with the commissioning of the Refinery.
The vehicles will also spread the message of various schemes launched by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas among the public.
During the inaugural address, Dharmendra Pradhan conveyed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate this refinery to the nation on 7th Feb’2016.
This is India’s most modern State-of- the-Art Refinery with a capacity of 15 mmtpa built at a cost of about Rs 35,000 crore, for which the Foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The “ Jana Amantran karyakram ” was part of the “URJA UTSAV” being celebrated in the state.
He further stated that this refinery will contribute enormously to the capacity and availability of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
Petroleum products including petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG will be supplied by Paradip Refinery to various parts of the country and the jetty set up at Paradip will facilitate export of products. Many petrochemical projects will be set up based on this refinery which will usher a new era of industrial and economic development in this region.
This will be a gate way of opportunities to Eastern India.
Speaking on the occasion, Ramjee Ram, ED (In /Charge), Paradip Refinery extended invitation for a successful celebration of ‘Urja Utsav’.
“Paradip Refinery is a symbol of excellence and capabilities of Indian engineers and technicians and gives us a sense of pride,” he said.
He thanked all the stake holders for their support in completion of this mega project. Ajit Pathak, GM (Corporate Communication), Refineries Headquarters and K K Sharma, GM Odisha State Office were also present on the occasion.
The refinery, he said, was configured for processing high sulphur heavy crude oils with major secondary processing units.
The visitors shall learn about special construction efforts and the technology used in the refinery as well as the growth of Indian Oil over the last 50 years and more, a company statement said.
Among major initiatives for skill development, around 30 people have been sent for training at CIPET in Bhubaneswar, and a major skill development centre will soon come up for the benefit of local people.