IMPHAL October 9: A public hearing process for ascertaining the concerns of the locals affected due to the proposed setting up of a Petroleum depot at Malom, Imphal west will be held at Megha Government High School on October 10.
The public hearing will be conducted under the supervision of additional district magistrate, Imphal west and will be assisted by representatives of the Manipur Pollution Control Board.
Concerned persons who are likely to be affected by the project are also notified to participate in the public hearing to express their views and concerns.
It may be mentioned that, the land for the project which is about 36 acres has already been procured by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) from the state government. The depot project is proposed to be executed in two phases to receive white oils like Motor Spirit (MS), High Speed Diesel (HSD) and SKO (Superior Kerosene Oil) which will be fed from Tinsukia Depot and Numaligarh Refinery.
Further, the project will also install nine oil housing tanks at the depot. For MS, three tanks having a capacity of 1708 kl each and a total storage capacity of 5124kl, for SKO three tanks having capacity of 1685 kl and total storage of 5055 kl and similarly another three tanks for HSD having capacity of 3932 kl each and total storage of 11,796 kl will be set up.
Regarding the anticipated environmental impacts, a survey report of the project stated that the impacts will be limited to the depot site and there are no social issues to be addressed as there is no displacement of people involved. The project benefit mentions of improved supply position of petroleum products in the state which is vital for economic growth as well as improving the quality of life, further it will also provide products at a better prices and quality.
Facilities of providing aviation fuel directly to the airport through pipes and blue spiking of white kerosene oil will be done by the depot among others.
