Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 7: As vehicular movement across the state has fallen sharply, there has been less demand for petrol and diesel. Therefore, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) here has cut down its production of diesel and petrol by half.

In normal course, MRPL produces 2,500 tonnes LPG, 20,000 tonnes of diesel, and 2,500 tonnes of petrol. Now, LPG production has been cut by 25 percent while there has been a 50 percent cut in petrol and diesel production.

Most of the employees of MRPL have been given leave while workers needed for production unit have been taken on emergency basis. Out of 6,500 employees, only 800 are working now. The oil produced at MRPL is being distributed all over the state through Indian Oil, HPCL, BPCL, Shell etc.

In normal course, MRPL shuts one unit during April for maintenance. At that time, it needs 4,000 workers. As bringing together so many workers for the purpose is cumbersome, the company plans to postpone the annual shutdown this year, it is learnt.

MRPL, which is the only processing centre for crude oil in Karnataka, has ensured that the state and a few southern parts of India did not face hardships on account of petroleum shortage by keeping up its supply continuously. MRPL general manager (corporate communication), Rudolph Noronha said that the company has brought down its production of petrol, LPG and diesel as the demand now is less. He said that only workers who are needed for emergency are now attending work.