Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Land Push Revives IOC’s Delayed Haldia Petrochemical Expansion Plans
Indian Oil Corporation wants to make its refinery in Haldia bigger.
It may also build facilities to make petrochemicals and other chemical products.
The company needs 175 acres of nearby land for the plan.
The Haldia Development Authority has arranged 85 acres.
Officials say the port may help provide the rest.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said he has discussed the land issue with port authorities.
If the land becomes available, IOC could send the project to its board for consideration.
The expansion has been delayed for years because roads, railways, canals and the Hooghly river surround the refinery.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assured Indian Oil Corporation of help securing land for its Haldia expansion.
The proposed expansion requires 175 acres, with 85 acres already arranged by the Haldia Development Authority.
The remaining land could be facilitated through the Haldia Dock Complex of Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port.
IOC is considering a petrochemical complex and chemical downstream project alongside its Haldia refinery.
The project has been delayed for years because the refinery has limited room for expansion and lacks the required contiguous land.
- Who
- Indian Oil Corporation, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the Haldia Development Authority and Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port authorities.
- What
- Efforts are underway to provide land for IOC’s proposed Haldia petrochemical and downstream expansion.
- When
- The assurance was given on Monday; the land issue has remained unresolved for years, with earlier intervention sought in 2021.
- Where
- At and around IOC’s Haldia refinery in West Bengal, India.
- Why
- IOC says its refinery expansion is constrained by surrounding infrastructure and that petrochemical facilities are needed alongside the refinery.
- Land required
- 175 acres
- Land arranged
- 85 acres by the Haldia Development Authority
- Potential land facilitator
- Haldia Dock Complex of Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port
- Project status
- IOC could send the project to its board for consideration if the land is secured
- Refinery commissioning
- 1975
- Original refinery capacity
- 2.5 million tonnes per annum
- Current refinery capacity
- Nearly 9 million tonnes per annum
- Recent refinery addition
- A second catalytic iso-dewaxing unit commissioned in 2024
