Suresh Gopi Inaugurates Tree Plantation Drive Organised by CPCL Near Manali

Chennai:

Port Wings News Network:

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) organised a sapling plantation drive in which around 500 saplings were planted at Amullaivoyal village in Manali. Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi inaugurated the drive on 15 July.

As part of the Central Government and Public Sector Undertakings’ annual Swachhata Pakhwada (Cleanliness Fortnight) observed from July 1 to 15, CPCL conducted the tree plantation programme at Amullaivoyal village near Manali.

Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi presided over the event and inaugurated the sapling plantation. Around 500 saplings were planted simultaneously during the programme. Employees and officers of the refinery, along with college students, actively participated in planting the saplings.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Suresh Gopi said: “Protecting the Earth we live on from environmental degradation and handing it over safely to the next generation is one of our foremost duties. It is with this understanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachhata Pakhwada initiative in 2015. Under this programme, approximately 12 crore toilets have been constructed across the country on the principle of ‘one toilet per household’, resulting in the elimination of open defecation. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has provided significant financial support for this initiative, which is highly commendable.”

He added: “In the 1970s, when we watched movies, we used to be amazed seeing the road infrastructure in other countries. But today, India has 16-lane highways that are operational. The government is taking several measures to reduce the use of all forms of carbon. As part of this, 20% ethanol blending in petrol has been planned and is being supplied to the public. Extensive research has been completed, and it has been conclusively proven that using ethanol-blended fuel causes no corrosion or wears to vehicle engines. However, there may be a 3% to 5% reduction in mileage per litre. Nevertheless, the benefits of ethanol blending are immense and must be kept in mind.”

“The travel time from Chennai to Bengaluru, which once took about 8 hours, has now been reduced to 4–5 hours due to improved road infrastructure,” he further added.

Besides others, North Chennai MP Dr. Kalanidhi Veerasamy, CPCL Managing Director H. Shankar, Tiruvottiyur MLA N. Senthi Kumar, CPCL Directors Rohit Kumar, P. Kannan, and S.G. Venkatesh, The Hindu Group CEO L.V. Navaneeth, Greater Chennai Corporation Zonal Committee Chairman A.V. Arumugam and Greater Chennai Corporation Councillor Mullai Rajasekar attended the event.