Sonowal seeks Pradhan's assistance in getting gas for the fourth plant of BVFCL

GUWAHATI: To address shortage of gas which is impeding the commissioning the fourth plant of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL), Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal sought the intervention of the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and requested him to use his good office to release required natural gas to the plant.

In a telephonic request made to the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Chief Minister Sonowal said that because of the non-availability of natural gas, the fourth plant which was set up involving an outlay of Rs. 4500 crore could not be commissioned. He also requested the Union Minister to release the required quantum of gas to help State Government to commission the plant and enable it to utilise its optimum potential.

Dharmendra Pradhan in response to Sonowal’s telephonic request, assured him to release gas and help the plant to reach its full potential.

Once the fourth plant is commissioned the capacity of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited would be enhanced four times. Sonowal also requested the Union Minister for expansion of gas pipe line from Barauni to Guwahati. The Union Minister also assured to take concrete steps in this regard.

Joint Secretary of Union Chemicals and Fertilizer Ministry Dharam Pal met Sonowal. National Fertilizers Limited has 52 per cent stake in BVFCL, Oil India Limited has got 26 per cent and Assam Government and BVFCL each has 11 per cent stake in the project.