Odisha CM seeks Naphtha Cracker unit at Paradip

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up an integrated Naphtha Cracker unit at the PCPIR at Paradip.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Patnaik said an integrated Naphtha Cracker unit needs to be set up urgently if the objectives of setting up the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) at Paradip are to be realized.

He said the Naphtha Cracker unit would provide the possibility of maximizing production of Ethylene, Propylene, Butadiene and Aromatic cuts.
“These will work as feedstock for a variety of industries that could serve the increasing demand of petrochemical products in the country across sectors such as Textiles, Polymers, Pharmaceuticals, Speciality Chemicals etc,” informed the Chief Minister.

He said IOCL was advised to evolve a time-bound plan for producing power from gas instead of naphtha in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister on 30th January 2014.

Subsequently, Odisha chief secretary in May 2015 requested Cabinet Secretary to intervene in the matter to impress upon IOCL to establish a Naphtha Cracker unit.

“In view of the above, it is requested that IOCL may be asked to take up development of Naphtha Cracker and downstream units on priority,” he added.