The ambitious Assam Gas Cracker Project, also known as Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), is running almost 6 months behind its schedule, thus triggering fears of “15 to 20 per cent” cost escalation.
“Acute” shortage of skilled manpower, coupled with heavy to heavy rains this monsoon, is putting brakes on timely commissioning of the project, which was originally scheduled to be completed by April 2012.
“We are running about 6 months behind the schedule and efforts are being put in to catch up for the delays to maintain project completion schedule of April 2012 as originally planned,” said BC Tripathi, chairman of BCPL.
Though the company has not yet looked into cost escalation factor, Tripathi said that due to multiple reasons, like delays, change in foreign exchange rates, rise in price of natural gas etc., the Rs. 5,460 crore project will eventually see cost escalation to the extent of 15 to 20 per cent.
He said the company will “assess” if there has been any cost escalation till now in October or November.
According to him, manpower shortage has been the “biggest challenge” before the company.
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“We are really facing an acute shortage of skilled manpower,” said Tripathi. In order to meet the manpower deficit, BCPL has started sending local youths to National Academy of Constructions in Hyderabad to impart vocational skills required for project works. BCPL plans to train altogether 3,000 local youths and is also in touch with Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (ILFS) for setting up two skill development centres, one each in Dibrugarh and Jorhat.
Tripathi said that as per projection, by January next year the project will require 16,000 skilled manpower.
“After monsoon, construction work will pick up. As per our projection, by January 2011, we will require around 16,000 skilled manpower and this has become a challenge for us,” said Tripathi.
Tripathi said that BCPL has already approached the state government with this peculiar problem and, according to him, the government has assured to mobilize more work force from other districts to meet the projected manpower deficit.