The Pollution Control Board in Andhra Pradesh state this week decided to direct HPCL to either cut its Vizag refinery runs by 30% or process low sulphur crude during winter season to reduce sulphur emissions,

HPCL had said New Delhi: Hindustan Petroleum will challenge a state run anti pollution agency order seeking a cut in crude processing at its 166,000 barrels per day plant in Andhra Pradesh over emission issues.

The Pollution Control Board in Andhra Pradesh state this week decided to direct HPCL to either cut its Vizag refinery runs by 30% or process low-sulphur crude during winter season to reduce sulphur emissions, HPCL. Mr K Murali said that “We will surely contest this with appellate authority. We are meeting all emission norms.”

HPCL earlier this week issued a tender after a gap of about 10 months seeking low sulphur crude for February lifting. An HPCL statement said the most probable reason for an odour that had permeated parts of Vizag city was non dispersal of pollutants under certain climatic conditions specific to winter, adding emissions from other sources like automobiles and marine tankers also need to be considered.

(Sourced from LIVE MINT)