Shortage of industrial gases pushes fabrication units to the brink

Industrial gas shortages threaten fabrication units in Tiruchi, halting operations and impacting various industries reliant on these essential supplies.

Stoppage of supply of industrial gases has severely hit the fabrication units in Tiruchi.

Industrial gases are used in a wide range of industries, which include power, steel making, metal, electronics, and aerospace and others. Industrial gases play a key role in welding, cutting, and other applications fabrication works. They ensure high-quality, strong, and clean joints by protecting molten metal from atmospheric contamination, improving arc stability, and providing necessary heat.

According to industry sources, there are about 500 fabrication units in and around Thuvakudi and Thiruverumbur in Tiruchi district. Many are vendors to the Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd. They buy industrial gases from the BIDAS Industrial Services Association, a society formed by a group of companies for supplying various materials, including gases among them. The fabrication unis require about 100 tonnes of gas. Sources said there had been no supply of gas to the association for over a week from the oil marketing companies. This has put a break on fabrication work.

“No fabrication work can be taken up without gases. It is essential even for cutting iron and steel. We do not know how to run our units,” says R. Kanagasabapathy, an ancillary unit promoter in Thiruverumbur.

Association chairman T. Thirumurugan told The Hindu that there was no stock of industrial gases for distribution. The officials concerned of the oil marketing companies had been apprised of the situation. The distribution could be resumed only if it received loads.

Mr. Kanagasabapathy said that the ancillary units had already scaled down their production to a great extent. If the prevailing situation continued for three or more days, they would be forced close down the units until the crisis was resolved.