Maharatna PSU Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) announced its plan to set up the country’s largest, 1,500-KTA Ethane Cracker Project at Ashta in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh that will entail an investment of around Rs. 60,000 crore and will have a product slate of various ethylene derivatives.
The PSU has submitted its request to the Madhya Pradesh state government to provide suitable enablers for the project. “Around 800 hectares of land shall be provided by the MP Industrial Development Corporation Limited, for which the state government has already initiated the process,” stated the PSU in a filing.
Regarding this announcement, Madhya Pradesh’s Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said, “It is noteworthy that this project involving an investment of about Rs. 60,000 crore will be the country’s largest ethane cracker project. A green field petrochemical complex is also proposed in this project. Under this, petrochemicals like LLDPE, HDPE, MEG and propylene will be produced. Through this project, 15,000 people will get employment during the construction period, and about 5,600 people will get employment during the operation period.”
The project is expected to involve a 70-hectare township, and the ceremony of the project shall take place in February 2025. The PSU aims to commence its commercial production in the financial year 2030-31.