With about 88% of the work on Pachpadra oil refinery in Rajasthan having been completed, an emphasis has been laid on speeding up the work on petrochemical section and sulphur recovery unit. The construction of physical infrastructure and mechanical components of the refinery project is nearing completion.

Principal Secretary (Mines & Petroleum) T. Ravikanth said here on Saturday (July 19, 2025) that the State government’s “dream project” would shortly see the light of the day with the completion of 94% to 98% of the work on 10 process units. “Overall, 87.9% of the work has been completed in the project area,” he said.

Mr. Ravikanth reviewed the progress of work and gave instructions to plant trees on a large scale in the refinery and the surrounding area. An action plan for intensive plantation will be formulated by the officials concerned.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has brought the refinery to his priority list and taken steps for resource mobilisation for its early completion. A first-of-its-kind integrated grassroots refinery-cum-petrochemical complex has also been established in Balotra district’s Pachpadra as part of the project.

Mr. Ravikanth said the refinery with the annual capacity of 9 million tonnes would make a significant addition to industrial and economic development of the State. He also laid emphasis on ensuring the quality of work.

The ₹72,937-crore refinery project was caught in a political quagmire after its foundation stone was laid by United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi in 2013, while the Bharatiya Janata Party government, which came to power subsequently, stalled it to renegotiate the terms with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated “commencement of work” at the project site in 2018. In addition to the production of petrol and diesel, the refinery will also manufacture co-products such as polypropylene, butadiene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, benzene and toluene.

HPCL-Rajasthan Refinery Director S. Bharathan and Chief Executive Officer Kamalakar R. Vikhar, who attended the review meeting, gave information about the progress of construction and mechanical work of various units. They said the refinery would manufacture world-class products. (