CM Gehlot stresses on starting production from Barmer refinery by end of next year
Pachpadra (Barmer): Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Friday that Pachpadra Refinery is an ambitious project not only for Rajasthan but for the entire country. “Rajasthan Refinery is the first such Refinery where PetroChemical Complex will be developed simultaneously for the manufacture of petroleum byproducts along with oil refining. With this project, Rajasthan will become a hub of petroleum based industries. Planned investment here would provide employment to the local people and revenue to the state. Along with this, immense possibilities will arise for various industries,” he said.
Gehlot held a review meeting of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) project at Pachpadra on Friday. He said that with the commencement of commercial production before December 31, 2024, pace of development will increase.
“This is our ‘dream project’. A big dream of people of western region will come true with Rajasthan Refinery. The state will establish new dimensions in economic development,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that after the foundation stone was laid in the year 2013 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the works were adversely affected due to various reasons. The state government is committed to complete the project at the earliest,” he said.
Gehlot inquired about the progress of major refinery units and petro-chemical units. He also directed to develop industrial area around this project with latest technology and speed up the works of Greenery. He said that a training centre for the youth should be started in the campus or nearby so that skilled human resource can be prepared for the project.
Gehlot said that approval has been given to pay Rs 2,583 crore towards the 26 % stake of the state government in the incremental share capital of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited. The CEO of HPCL said that at present a target has been set to complete the mechanical work of this Rs 72,937 crore project by May, 2024. In the meeting, Forest Minister Hemaram Chowdhary and former Revenue Minister and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary asked the officers to carry out intensive plantation at the project site. Along with this, they said that under CSR, development works should also be done with the opinion of public representatives according to the local requirement.
Prior to this, CM Gehlot planted saplings in refinery premises and also inspected projects along with officials.
