IOCL to invest Rs 700 crore to step up LPG production, storage in North East

GUWAHATI: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is investing about Rs 700 crore in augmenting LPG production facilities and ramping up storage facilities across the northeastern region to meet the spurt in demand fuelled by Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUJ).
Chief general manager of IOC’s Assam Oil Division (AOD), Uttiya Bhattacharyya, said, “It should be our endeavor that every kitchen in the country is smoke-free and healthy with easy access to LPG. With our sustained efforts, LPG coverage in the northeast has improved to 80% from 48% in comparison to May 2017. We have released 29 lakh LPG connections in the last 19 months.”

He added that LPG business in the region started in the year 1971 and 48 lakh LPG connections have been released till May 1, 2017. After the launch of PMUY in the region in May 2017, the public sector oil companies have so far released 33 lakh connections in the region. The overall customer base of LPG in the region is 81 lakh customers. “We have enhanced the existing capacity in Silchar in Assam and shifts have been increased in Bongaigaon. Huge additions of capacity has been made in many places, including Tripura. The dealers’ network, which is 880 now, will be increased, with another 220 to be added,” the CGM said.