Bathinda, August 12
The much awaited re-launch of the prestigious Rs 12,000-crore Guru Gobind Singh Refinery today coincided with the announcement of a proposed Rs 5,000-crore petrochemical plant in Talwandi Sabo. The HPCL also appeared keen to set up the plant.

Addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar gave an assurance that the much-delayed mega project would be completed at the earliest. He also made his intention clear about inviting some multinational companies (MNCs) for speeding up the refinery’s construction.

He said though the refinery would generate limited employment opportunities, the government would find a way to employ those who would be involved in its construction. He said the ancillary units that would come up due to the refinery would generate the most employment avenues. He also assured full support to the state’s proposal for a petrochemical unit in Talwandi Sabo.

Mr Aiyar said he would talk to Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan who holds the related portfolio. He said overall about Rs 16,000-Rs 17,000 crore would be invested in both the projects. The region was set to witness tremendous industrial growth with the revival of the refinery as scores of small industries would be established. He admitted that the pace of industrialisation was slow in Punjab, but at the same time expressed his willingness to make it a petrochemical hub in future.

Mr Aiyar, who also holds the charge of the Panchayat Ministry, said the ministry had formed a council on the basis of an agreement with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). He said the agreement had paved the way for setting up the country’s first rural business hub in Ramgarh block in Uttaranchal, which has a huge fruit production. An agreement between the ITC and the Nimrana group would be signed in this regard in Dehra Dun tomorrow, he added.

The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, said the industrial development of the state had become a must in the wake of declining landholdings and increasing population. He said the proposed petrochemical complex would boost employment opportunities in the region. A textile complex for making optimum use of Malwa’s huge cotton production would also come up in Bathinda.

He said cotton production was set to touch a new high this year. The CM said the farmers whose crop was ruined in the rains would soon be given compensation. He said ‘girdawari’ had already been done and an estimated 8,000 acres of crop was damaged. He said the ancillary units and the transport sector would bring in about 40,000 employment opportunities to the region.

Finance Minister Surinder Singla termed it a historic event that would change the course of Punjab’s future. He said the refinery would bring a sea change in Bathinda, as a Rs-120 crore project to build the city’s infrastructure was on the cards. He said the proposal of setting up a petrochemical plant would soon be sent to the Union Government.

Earlier, delivering his welcome address, the HPCL Chairman, Mr M.B. Lal, said the project would lay a new foundation of the company’s relationship with the people of Punjab. He said the refinery would process 90 lakh tonne crude oil annually. The oil would be brought through a pipeline that would be laid from Mundra Port in Gujarat to Bathinda. He said the refinery would spur setting up of ancillary units, which would contribute to the state’s industrial growth. He also expressed his intention to launch a petrochemical project in Bathinda.