Bhajan Lal Sharma Inspects Site for Modi’s Pachpadra Refinery Launch in Rajasthan

As Rajasthan prepares to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21 for the Pachpadra Refinery inauguration in Balotra, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is taking no chances. On Monday, he will tour the facility to ensure flawless execution of all preparations.

CMO officials detailed that the chief minister’s inspection, slated for 2 PM, will encompass progress updates, security fortifications, rally ground setups, helipad infrastructure, and ancillary requirements. Top aides like Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and Police chief Rajiv Sharma will be by his side.

This event underscores Modi’s frequent engagement with Rajasthan—his last visit on February 28 saw him unveil over Rs 16,000 crore in projects and appoint 21,000+ youths in Ajmer’s Kayad Dham.

The refinery’s journey began in 2013 with foundation by Sonia Gandhi under Gehlot’s Congress government at Rs 37,230 crore. Revived by Modi in 2018 at Rs 43,129 crore, it weathered cost overruns to Rs 72,937 crore in 2023 and now Rs 79,459 crore, due complete by July 2025.

Partnered between HPCL and state authorities, Pachpadra exemplifies cutting-edge tech: BS-6 fuels, dual refinery-petrochem setup, and zero-liquid effluent tech safeguarding the environment by eliminating waste discharge.

With capacity for 9 million tonnes crude refining yearly plus 2 million tonnes petrochemicals—sourced 83% from Gulf, 17% domestic—the Rs 80,000 crore venture heralds job creation and regional industrialization, boosting Rajasthan’s energy sector ambitions.