Bhopal, Apr 10: The work of laying 935-kilometre pipeline from Wadinagar in Gujarat to Agasod in Bina tehsil of Sagar district has almost been completed. The pipeline is being laid to pump crude oil from Gujarat to Bina Refinery under-construction at Agasad, 15 kilometres from Bina. This information was given by Minister for Industry, Jayant Malaiya while reviewing progress of Bina Refinery's construction here yesterday.

Malaiya informed that 435 out of 935 kilometre pipeline would pass through nine districts of Madhya Pradesh including Jhabua, Dhar, Ratlam, Ujjain, Shajapur, Rajgarh, Guna, Vidisha and Bina. He said that an amount to the tune of Rs 325 crore six lakh has been spent on laying this 24-inch diametre pipeline. This work was entrusted to Essar and Kalpatru companies.

It may be mentioned that construction of Bharat-Oman Refinery had started since January 1, 2006. From December 2009, the refinery would start refining 60 lakh tonnes of crude oil every year. The refinery, which would be equipped with latest technique, would churn out 50 percent Euro-3 and Euro-4 petroleum products.

The decision of constructing this refinery was taken in 1991. However, the work could not be started as tax concession for viability of the project could not be approved. Due to the efforts made by the present state government, an MoU was signed between Madhya Pradesh government and Indo-Oman Refinery Ltd, as a result of which work of the project could be started.

Industry Minister Malaiya informed that so far construction works amounting to Rs 5063 crore 50 lakh have been entrusted to contractors and Rs 2455 crore has been spent the establishment of this plant.

Though construction of this plant, 500 persons are directly employed while two thousand persons getting indirect employment. Employment opportunities would be made available to five to 10 thousand contract works during the construction period of the plant. Efforts are being undertaken to see that maximum number of people from Madhya Pradesh get jobs in the construction works. As a result, more unskilled workers are being recruited. A target has been set to develop a green belt and dense forests in 200 metre radius around the refinery during the next five years. Besides, hospital, school and sports ground would also be constructed in the nearby township.