Pradyut Bordoloi

In the span of just four days, power, industry and commerce minister Pradyut Bordoloi has been instrumental in transforming two catterpillar projects into industrial butterflies.

The first one was the commissioning of the 2x50 MW Karbi Langpi Hydro Electric Project in Karbi Anglong district on April 6.

And tomorrow the ambitious Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited, popularly known as the gas cracker project, will be back on track after several false dawns with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laying the foundation stone for the project at Lepetkata in Dibrugarh district.

Besides tying the loose ends for a smooth launch tomorrow, Bordoloi, before leaving for Lepetkata, shares his thoughts with Umanand Jaiswal on what the project means to the state and more.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. What is the significance of the project to the state government? What are your feelings now that things are moving after two decades of uncertainty?

A. The project means a lot to all of us but let me clarify it is a project for the people of the state.

It has an emotive side to it, as it is an extension of the Assam Accord. Our governments, both at the state and the Centre, were committed to the project.

We have shown that commitment by getting things sorted out.

There is a sense of both relief and satisfaction that things are moving in the right direction. But it has been possible because of all-round support.

Q.When will the project be commissioned given the state’s track record when it comes to the implementation bit?

A. Five years, if everything remains on track. We will ensure there are no more delays and try to complete it within our present term. We have acquired two-thirds of the land required for the project to start.

Q. Land acquisition was a major hurdle for the project. The site had to be changed once.

Then there was this opposition to the acquisition drive in Lepetkata.

What helped swing the acquisition drive in favour of the project?

A. A slew of measures. But more importantly our government, headed by Tarun Gogoi, was able to sell the project to the people as one that ensured a greater common good. We convinced them it was not our but their project. We were very transparent in our dealings, not hiding anything from them.

I, myself, met the protesters and the people and made them see our vision. They are all with us now. Besides being transparent, we also offered a liberal compensation package after carrying out exhaustive surveys.

The package includes cash for land and its yield or existing infrastructure. We have already released Rs 60 crore for the compensation package.

Q. Are there any other measures being taken?

A. We have also decided to rehabilitate those who will become landless after the acquisition drive at a nearby site.

The site will be provided with all facilities like roads, school, power and water. It will be a model set up comprising around 66 families.

We have also given pattas to those settled on government land for ages. We have tied up with the Central Institute of Plastic Technology to train local youths so that they are well-equipped to tap the employment opportunities arising out of the project and its downstream industries.

Q.What is the employment potential of the project?

A. The project will provide around 600 direct employment oppurtunities.

But over a lakh will be indirectly employed owing to the downstream and ancillary industries.

Once the project is operational, around 500 plastic processing units will come up in the Northeast.

You can very well visualise the benefits.

Our government has also decided to establish a park where plastic units will be set up in neighbouring Tinsukia district.

Q. Why did Reliance pull out of the project?

A. Let us not dwell on the past. Simply put, things didn’t work out.

As things stand today, the gas cracker project will be a watershed project and the state stands to benefit from it.