Petrochemical unit in Vidarbha: Feasibility study soon

Nagpur: If things materialize, Vidarbha may get its biggest industrial project till date in the form of a petrochemical complex that would have capacity to generate lakhs of direct and indirect jobs.
Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday directed his subordinates to conduct a techno-economic feasibility study on setting up the mega project in the region.
The development comes after a delegation, under leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis, apprised him of the need to set up the project in Vidarbha. He was accompanied by a team of Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council, which made a presentation to him on how the project would be feasible.
“We explained to him that the project will not only generate many jobs in Vidarbha but also attract various industries and investment. We told him that a gas pipeline can be brought till Nagpur from Samruddhi highway. The minister took it very positively and immediately asked officials to prepare a techno-economic feasibility study,” Fadnavis said, expressing confidence that the project would be a big success in the region.
Reiterating that the standalone petrochemical complex would be Vidarbha’s biggest project, VED president Shiv Kumar Rao clarified that it would be a completely different one from Nanar, where the refinery was proposed. “This one would be gas based and cater to a large number of petro-chemical industries in Central India. Even the minister was not keen to have a refinery here as it would need investors, but a petrochemical complex would be a win-win situation for all industries. The refinery can be looked at later as it wouldn’t bring much revenue here.”
He added they were expecting the central team to visit the region shortly as the minister had directly asked petroleum secretary Tarun Kapoor to expedite the feasibility study.
VED member Pradeep Maheshwari, who has done exhaustive research on the project, told TOI that it would require an investment of Rs1 lakh crore approximately while the ancillary industries will further be set up for Rs25,000-Rs35,000 crore. “The mega project would have a potential to generate about two lakh direct and indirect jobs.”
He said though they had earlier proposed to set up the project at Kuhi Mandal, Fadnavis insisted on showing three to four areas to the visiting team from the petroleum ministry. “The leader of opposition himself gave a presentation and explained the project to Pradhan. We’re also guided by expert in the field Vinayak Marathe, who has over 34 years of experience in working with Reliance petrochemical plant.”
Pradhan also tweeted after the meeting that he had discussions on establishing a petrochemical complex in Vidarbha to create opportunities for employment and economic growth in the state.
Quoting VED presentation, Fadnavis said fuel consumption in Central India that was about 14-15 MTPA can be met by setting up the project here. “The region will get not only fuel and LPG but also many important petrochemicals used by downstream industries like textiles, soaps and detergents, paints, cement, and steel. Not only the refinery but ancillaries also may ensure a ig prosperity in the region with employment,” he said.
About the proposed project
It’s a standalone petrochemical complex
Total investment is Rs1.25-Rs1.35 lakh crore
For the complex — Rs1 lakh crore
For ancillary industries — Rs25,000-Rs35,000 crore
Employment generation — 2 lakh direct & indirect jobs