BCPL production likely to be delayed

From our Staff Correspondent

DIBRUGARH, SEPT 10: Production at the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited's (BCPL), which is slated to start from September 15, will be delayed by three more months following a crack in the cool box of Ethylene Cracker Unit (ECU) due to alleged ipt handling of the machine by the engineers. Sources alleged that it was due to alleged negligence on the part of the newly-selected BPCL Maging Director AK Singh that the mishap took place. "It might have taken place due to Singh's hurriedness to meet the deadline for production," the sources said. The officials who were engaged in the cooling process of ECU had to shut down the system after observing black smoke oozing out of the cool box.

Replacement of the full unit, if necessary, would mean an additiol expenditure of Rs 10/15 crore. The Joint Secretary of Chemical and Fertilizer Ministry, Avish Joshi rushed to Assam on Thursday and will visit the BCPL on Friday to take stock of the situation arising out of the leakage.