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    Allow the refineries in Assam to go ahead with 20 per cent ethanol blending: Himanta Biswa Sarma

    Synopsis

    Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, while speaking at the investors’ meet, said that North Eastern region of the country is one of the most promising regions of the country in terms of economic potential.

    1Agencies
    Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
    Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his push for greener future and cut carbon emission, requested Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri to allow the refineries in Assam to go ahead with 20 per cent ethanol blending in their plants.

    Putting forward his requests at a one-day investors’ meet on exploration and production and investment opportunities in North Eastern Region, Sarma said that if the refineries of the state are allowed to do the ethanol blending in their own plants, the proposition becomes cost effective and the state will be able to meet its own demands of green fuel from its own yard.

    Referring to the State government’s Ethanol Production Promotion Policy and the ethanol’s utilization in oil marketing companies, Sarma said that in the event, oil refineries are allowed for ethanol blending, there will be capacity empowerment of the companies besides enabling them to meet the demands of green energy.

    Sarma also requested Union Minister Puri for his ministry’s support in the capacity enhancement of Digboi Oil Refinery which has the distinction of being the first refinery in Asia and one of the oldest refineries in operation. He also requested the Union Minister for expanding the base of gas cracker project in Assam as well as his ministry’s support for exploration of the energy sources in the state.

    Sarma said that his government will extend all possible help to the ministry in its bid to efficient management of all its projects in Assam and starting new ones in the state.

    Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri while speaking at the investors’ meet said that North Eastern region of the country is one of the most promising regions of the country in terms of economic potential. He also said that in sync with the government’s commitment to make Indian economy UDS 5 trillion, North East has to contribute substantially. In response to Chief Minister’s request, the Union Minister said that his ministry would do the needful for capacity enhancement of Digboi Refinery.

    Considering the huge reservoir of hydrocarbon reserves in the North East, Puri said Centre will help the region in tapping the hydrocarbon resources to catalyze the growth of North East region and improve the standard of living of the people and creating a sustainable energy for the future.

    Union Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh who is in Guwahati met Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the latter’s official residence in capital complex and they discussed on some railway important projects being implemented in Assam.

    Sarma during the discussion, requested the Union Minister to expedite the electrification work in Assam part of the North East Frontier Railway (NFR). He also requested the Union Minister to expedite the work of double tracking. He requested her to extend the double track project up to Dibrugarh.

    Moreover, in view of repeated elephant deaths primarily caused by railway accidents in Deepor Beel area, Sarma requested the Union Minister to help constructing an elevated corridor to give an obstruction free passage to the tuskers.

    With regard to under-construction flyovers over the railway tracks at some areas of the state, Chief Minister Sarma requested the Union Minister to impress the authority of NFR to resolve the issues obstructing the completion of the flyovers.

    Sarma also requested the Union Minister to increase the running frequency of Rajdhani Express between New Delhi and Agartala via Barak Valley for the convenience of the passengers.

    Sarma requested the Union Minister to set up an Indian Institute of Fashion Technology in Guwahati. He sought her ministry’s intervention to help the textile industry in Assam with modern technology and help the Assam weavers’ creation occupy global market. Senior officers of State government and railways were also present during the meeting.


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    ( Originally published on Sep 24, 2021 )
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