BPCL petrochemical complex proposed in Nellore raises environmental concerns

Even as the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has submitted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for its greenfield oil refinery and petrochemical complex proposed at Chevuru and Ravuru villages in SPSR Nellore district and Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) has conducted a public hearing last year, various organisations have been opposing the project, citing safety concerns.

Earlier, the Human Rights Forum (HRF) members raised objections, saying that the petrochemical project will badly affect livelihoods and inflict unmitigated pollution in the region. They expressed concerns over the displacement of four villages – Chennaayapalem, Nandemmapuram, Pamuguntapalem and Salipeta –due to the land acquisition for the project.

“Acquiring 6,000 acres for a 9 MMTPA petrochemical complex is unacceptable. The CPCL’s 10 MMPTA project at Manali in Tamil Nadu is spread across 800 acres. HPCL’s 15 MMPTA unit in Visakhapatnam covers around 900 acres. IOCL’s 15 MMPTA refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Paradip of Odisha is on 3,350 acres,” HRF A.P. secretary G. Rohith said.

Scientists For People (SFP), a non-profit group of scientists fighting for environmental rights, raised concerns over the BPCL’s upcoming greenfield oil refinery and petrochemical complex. While the local politicians and government officials are upbeat about the multi-crore project, the SFP members throw light on its impact on environment, livelihoods of people and health hazards.

Former Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) scientist K. Babu Rao, associated with the SFP, said, “The proposed petrochemical complex will have a severe impact on the region. The public hearing held in December 2025 was inconclusive. The changes sought by the company in the terms of reference (ToR) are more worrisome.”

Citing the example of Louisiana, which produces over 25% of the petrochemicals in the U.S.A., he said that the region is called ‘Cancer Alley’ due to the cancer-causing air pollution that followed the expansion of the petrochemical industry. “The BPCL’s proposed project, along with the existing power plants in the area, will damage health of the people living in the region,“ he said.

Demanding another public hearing in the villages, the scientist said, “Adequate green belt is necessary to intercept sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carcinogenic gases to be emitted from the refinery, else the villages will be affected by the toxic gases. Chemicals such as benzene and vinyl chloride pose a risk of blood cancer (leukaemia). Memory loss, organ impairment, skin and eye diseases may also occur. The government should explain the changes demanded by the company in the ToR to all the people.”

“The pumping of 26,000 cubic metres of seawater per hour (about 6.24 lakh cubic metres per day) will take a toll on the marine ecosystem. When the seawater is pumped through huge pumps, fish eggs and small organisms are destroyed. The hot and concentrated salt water left after water treatment is discharged into the sea, making it impossible to fish in the coastal areas,” he added.

According to the SFP member, the explosive storage in this petrochemical unit would be 3.5 times more than the PVC plant that the people of Nellore rejected in 2003. The chemicals used here are highly explosive. The company has no clarity on the ‘off-site emergency plan’ to protect people in case of an accident.

During the public hearing, the BPCL representatives mentioned that the PSU would give priority to the local youth in providing employment opportunities at the proposed refinery plant being set up with an investment of ₹1.03 lakh crore. Along with the job opportunities, CSR funds will be used for the development of villages, they said, adding that the neighbourhood women’s services will be utilised to increase greenery with 17,000 plants. 

Speaking to The Hindu, APPCB Environmental Engineer (EE) N. Ashok Kumar said, “If the ToR are changed, we will conduct public consultation, seeking the written representations from the people who have any objections. We will share the representations with the MoEFCC to consider the same before awarding the Environmental Clearance (EC).”