Naidu asks BPCL to expedite Ramayapatnam refinery project

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to expedite the commencement of work on its proposed greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical project near Ramayapatnam Port and suggested setting up a downstream petrochemical park in its vicinity.

BPCL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Khanna met Mr. Naidu on Wednesday and informed him that the integrated project, coming up between Prakasam and Nellore districts, was estimated to cost around ₹1.45 lakh crore. The proposed refinery will have a capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum.

According to Mr. Khanna, the project is expected to receive final environmental clearance by the end of September. The final investment cost is likely to be firmed up in October after the study report being prepared by Engineers India Limited (EIL) is received. Construction work will commence thereafter, he said.