Mangaluru : The Mangaluru LPG Import Facility (MLIF) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., (HPCL) that supplies about 5,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Karnataka through IOCL, BPCL and its own network, has resorted to emergency import to maintain the supply intact after MRPL scaled down LPG production from 2,500 tonnes to 800 tonnes a day.

Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd., (MRPL) which used to produce about 2,500 tonnes of LPG a day from its Phase III operations, had to drastically cut down the production owing to severe water crisis that has gripped Mangaluru. Dakshina Kannada’s lifeline Netravathi has dried up thereby affecting normal life in the entire district.

A senior official from HPCLsaid that the MLIF supplied LPG to Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and its own distribution network. While MRPL provided 2,500 tonnes, MLIF imported another 2,500 tonnes LPG to meet the demand. With MRPL supplying only 800 tonnes now, the Facility is importing another 1,800 tonnes of LPG, the official said. IOCL and BPCL sometimes used to procure from ELF LPG import facility too in Mangaluru, he added.

He said there has not been any problem in the import, though MLIF had to resort to panic buying and vessels are lined up to deliver LPG. There is also no need for the general public to panic, he said.

Asked whether the panic import would cost the company, the official said there was not much difference between imported LPG price and MRPL’s price. However, there would be some incidental charges as the company has resorted to emergency buying and it has to pay some premium. However, company’s aim is to ensure proper and adequate supply of LPG to the public than anything else, the official added.

HPCL’s Mangaluru LPG Import Facility used to supply about 5,000 tonnes of LPG to state every day Of this, MRPL’s contribution was about 2,500 tonnes and the rest through import MRPL has now cut down production to 800 tonnes a day owing to severe water crisis. HPCL resorts to emergency import of LPG to fill the void. No need to panic, LPG vessels are lined up to deliver; assures official