State-owned BPCL has received the green nod to set up additional facilities at its Kochi refinery to meet the BS-VI quality auto fuel norms and establish a new MS block, which will entail an investment of Rs 3,313 crore.
According to the Auto Fuel Policy 2025, the government has laid down a roadmap for complete transition to Bharat Stage (BS)-VI auto fuel by April 2020 in the country.
The Kochi refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) is currently implementing the Integrated Refinery Expansion Project (IREP), which will enhance the refinery capacity from 9.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) to 15.5 MMTPA and upgrade auto fuel quality in line with BS-IV and part BS-V norms.
“Based on the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), the Environment Ministry has accorded environment clearance to BPCL’s auto fuel BS-VI upgradation and new MS block project,” a senior government official said.
Clearance to the project is subject to certain conditions. About seven acres of land is required for the proposed BS-VI project and the total cost is estimated at Rs 3,313 crore, the official added.
Among the conditions specified, BPCL has been directed that its water requirement from river Periyar after implementation of the IREP and BS-VI project should not exceed 1,372.2 cubic meter per hour and it should obtain prior permission from the competent authority.
The company has been asked to adhere strictly to the stipulations made by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and any other statutory authority.
It has also been asked to decide locations of ambient air quality monitoring stations in consultation with KSPCB and ensure at least one station is installed in the upwind and downwind direction.
That apart, BPCL has been directed to set up a separate environment management cell with full-fledged laboratory facilities to carry out the environment management and monitoring functions.
Post-IREP, BPCL said its Kochi refinery will be able produce BS-IV quality MS and diesel along with partial production of BS-V products, and it will require additional facilities to achieve BS-VI quality specifications for MS.
BS-VI quality specification for HSD can be achieved post-IREP through blending. BPCL intends to maximise and upgrade MS and diesel processing capabilities to meet BS-VI fuel specifications by April 1, 2020, it said in its EIA report.