Maharashtra: Besides Vidarbha, nearby regions too will gain from refinery

NAGPUR: The proposed refinery can change the entire landscape of Vidarbha in all aspects. Most of the region’s infrastructure is underutilized. The much-needed project would significantly benefit districts like Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Yavatmal, Wardha, Akola and Amravati, not only in the terms of employment but also increase Human Development Index.
The agriculture and industrial balance isn’t satisfactory in Vidarbha, as farmers and rural labourers are still earning meagrely. A majority of the population depends on government schemes like MNREGA. All metro cities thrive on big industries to maintain a vibrant economy. In Vidarbha, we are still struggling with only agriculture-based economy. With such a big petrochemical complex, big industrial investments will come to the region, thus boosting job prospects.
For years, Vidarbha’s industrial estates have been waiting for industries. A large number of plots are lying vacant in MIDC. The refinery project has the capacity to bring more industries in the form of ancillary units to MIDCs in the region. Those using petrochemicals as raw materials in Mumbai and Gujarat will purchase land near refinery. The project would require material like steel, cement, bricks sand and others worth Rs25,000 crore. This would boost local manufacturers. Moreover, it would likely create 20,000 direct and over 5 lakh indirect jobs.
There’s a possibility of about 25,000 medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) along with 10 large units making investment in Vidarbha as ancillary units. It would ensure that 18,000MW power generated through various thermal power plants would be consumed. It would also save transmission and distribution losses.
The water stored in various Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) reservoirs could be utilized for the refinery and bring revenue. The project would need a pipeline distribution network that could be laid along Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway along with NHAI, thus bringing revenue for the state and centre.
Nagpur’s central location would be an added advantage as maximum fuel products would be distributed from the pipelines network across 250 districts in India. With sulphur as a by-product of the refinery, acid manufacturers can utilize it to make fertilizers.
Vidarbha and surrounding region need urgent industrialisation to accommodate youth eligible for different types of jobs. Importantly, the surrounding states affected by Maoism would save crores spent on tackling the menace if local youths get jobs.
The region already has good infrastructure of roads, rail and air, thanks to initiatives taken by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. It could be put to the best use and will help to boost the economy of three major cities in Central India – Nagpur, Jabalpur and Raipur.
Setting up a refinery in Vidarbha will be best decision by the government on social, economic and political fronts as it will boost the economy of four states, which incur huge costs on logistics for bringing petroleum products here.
The refinery would also boost existing projects like Mihan where companies would thrive to invest. Even the existing and upcoming projects like Sindhi dry port and CONCOR depot would be fully utilized. The passenger flow at airport would also incraes. So, it’s a win-win situation for Vidarbha.