Another fire at BCPL casts cloud over commissioning

Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh, Dec 28: A midnight fire at Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) on Sunday has once again marred the prospect of fil commissioning of the mega project.

The intermittent "sgs" at BCPL is likely to delay the dedication of the plant to the tion by Prime Minister rendra Modi which is being planned for February next.

Last night's fire broke out in the 'Hot section' of the critical Ethylene Cracker Unit (ECU) at about 11 pm which forced shut-down of the entire complex.

Inferior and faulty mechanical piping works is reported to be the reason for hydrocarbon leakage that led to the fire.

According to a source, M/s Jaihind Projects was the implementing agency of the mechanical works. The quality of the products and work culture of the firm has also been under scrutiny.

The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers had set a December deadline for completion of the project. Though the BCPL could not meet the mid-December deadline, it had assured that the project would be on stream by December 28.

But today's fire incident has again jeopardized the prospects of the project, which is already reeling under huge cost escalation.

The gas cracker project was conceptualised in pursuance of the Assam Accord on August 15, 1985. The initial cost estimated was Rs 5,460.61 crore. A joint venture company - Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd (BCPL) - is implementing the project at a revised cost of Rs 8,920 crore.