Villagers raise objections to HMEL refinery expansion plans

BATHINDA: People living in the vicinity of Hindustan Petroleum-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL) refinery took part in a public hearing called to ascertain their views on the proposed expansion of the project, on Tuesday, with many of them raising objections. The refinery has decided to expand its operations from the current capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum to 11.25 million tonnes.
The Punjab government and Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had called the public before granting approval to the refinery's expansion plans, at Rama Mandi town here. Residents of village Kanakwal, adjacent to the refinery, had accused the refinery of spreading pollution, saying it has caused many problems to them.
Area residents, who took part in public hearing, demanded strong measures before the expansion was permitted. They also demanded jobs for local people in the refinery. Kanakwal residents raised the issue of being relocated from their village due to health hazards faced by them on account of pollution by the refinery.
Bathinda deputy commissioner Basant Garg said that HMEL has applied for expansion of the project. Over 1,000 people from the villages adjoining the refinery participated in the public hearing. "As many as 20 people raised objections which were duly recorded. All objections and replies by refinery authorities will be sent to MoEF for further action," he said.