Petronet LNG Terminal: Public hearing held amid protests

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 4, 2013: Environmental public hearing by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) for the proposed LNG terminal by Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) at Gangavarm Port was held amidst protests by locals and activists of various political parties opposing the project, raising objections over the pollution the terminal is likely to spread in the vicinity, here on Thursday.  Police used mild force to disperse agitationg crowds.

PLL, a joint venture of ONGC, IOC, BPCL and GAIL, proposed to develop 10MT capacity LNG terminal at Gangavaram Port. While the PLL wanted to develop the terminal with 5 million tonnes capacity at a cost of Rs 4,200 cr in Phase I and the remaining 5 million tonnes in Phase II.

. “On one hand Gangavaram Port had failed to provide employment it promised to the displaced and fishermen are finding it difficult to continue with their activity. Meanwhile, the LNG terminal, we fear, would cause pollution and threaten the livelihood and lives of those living in the vicinity,” said TD leader, Kona Tata Rao.

However a representative of PLL during the public hearing informed that the product of PLL is an eco friendly fuel and the proposed terminal is blast proof.   

The draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the project was submitted to Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) in Sep, 2012 and the public hearing for the project was earlier scheduled to be held on Nov 9, last year.

Due to reasons unknown in the last minute Nov 9 public hearing was postponed to Jan 3.  

Petronet to start terminal by 2014

Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) authorities on Thursday said they were fully committed to proposed LNG terminal project and is working on various options for bringing gas early, to meet the energy deficit, both, in the state, as well as in other parts of the country. For this purpose, PLL is considering the option of chartering a Floating LNG Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). The company has plans to complete this project by 2014, for FSRU, followed by a land based LNG Terminal by 2016, said PLL vice president AK Chopra.

He added that about 300 persons from the local areas, including officials from the major industries of Vizag using other kind of fuels, attended the public hearing for the LNG project held on Thursday.  The officers from these industries expressed their keen desire for bringing natural gas at the earliest enabling them to switch over from other fuels and helping in reducing pollution here.

 “The concern expressed by some of the local people about the pollution created by the proposed LNG Terminal was duly clarified during the presentation made by the representative of the company. LNG Terminal in itself is a zero-emission project and causes no pollution. As clarified earlier, locating the LNG terminal at Gangavaram will only help substantially reduce the pollution levels in and around Vizag,” said Chopra and added that all necessary approvals including PESO, Fire & safety etc. shall be obtained by the company in due course before either commencement of construction or operations, as per the requirement of the law.

 He also said that since LNG terminal involves importing liquefied natural gas, storing it and regasifying it, a LNG Terminal needs to be located at the port and is an essential port-based activity. The proposed LNG terminal will need around 120 acres of land. Out of this around 40 acres belongs to Gangavaram Port and balance 80 acres needs to be reclaimed.

PLL and Gangavaram Port have already applied for the approval of the state government for developing the proposed LNG terminal and reclamation of land. The entire extent of land including the land that is proposed to be reclaimed is located within the port limits.  Gangavaram Port can give the land on license basis for the purpose of port-based activities, he added.