Mumbai: To spread awareness about the Nanar refinery project, the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (RRPCL), which is setting up the ambitious project, has taken some of the locals to the Panipat refinery in Haryana. The company said that they are in support of the Centre and the state.

“We are hopeful of starting the ground work on January 1, 2020 and actual work in 2021,” said RRPCL chief executive B. Ashok.

When asked if the company has the support from the state, especially after the state government had last November stayed the land acquisition process for the project, Mr Ashok said, “We have complete support from both the Centre as well as the state.”

Locals and protesters have expressed concern that the refinery will create pollution in the eco-sensitive Konkan region.

Replying on local’s concern, Mr Ashok said, “Nearly 80 per cent of the land is barren and we have committed to plant around 1,000 trees in the vicinity of the refinery. It is going to be an integrated project and also create jobs for the locals. If the project does not happen, it will be a big miss for the nation.”