lPG network to cover 50% State households in next three years
The petrol, diesel and lPG networks would be expanded with a view to benefitting the consumers in Odisha, said Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday.
After reviewing the works of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and their marketing networks in the State here, he said the State at present has an lPG consumer base of 28 per cent of the population. It would be increased to 33 per cent this year and to 50 per cent of the households in next three years.
The present national average of lPG consumer base is 60 per cent. The endeavour of his Ministry would be to bring Odisha at par with the national average, he said.
Pradhan said three new product pipelines would be constructed between Paradip and Ranchi, Paradip ad Durgapur and Paradip and Raipur. These pipelines would go through several areas of the State carrying petroleum products to the most parts of the State. The present coastal-centric distribution network of lPG, petrol and diesel would be expanded to the nooks and corners of the State to achieve the national average.
He said the State’s existing lPG distribution centre network of 404 would be raised to 750 in next three years. New depots, product pipelines, lPG terminals and imported lPG terminals would entail an investment of over Rs 4,500 crore.
Pradhan said the Brahmapur lPG terminal would be modernised and a new depot would come up in Bhubaneswar. Besides, more depots would be opened in south and western Odisha. The Baleswar depot would be modernised under the new expansion plan.
He said that under the expansion plan, lPG distribution centres would be established within 15-km radius in all gram panchayats of Odisha. The expansion plan would create direct job for about 5,000 persons. Now, more than 10,000 people are employed in various petroleum projects in the State.
Informing that the State now has 1,449 petrol pumps, Pradhan said that within next three years, 300 more pumps would be added to the network.
The Minister said the grievance redressal system for lPG consumers in Odisha would be strengthened and be made people-centric. A helpline based on Odia language would be launched soon to benefit the State’s consumers.