Rajasthan Petro Zone to boost industrial growth
Jaipur, April 15
Chief Secretary V. Srinivas on Wednesday emphasised the need to develop a strong industrial ecosystem linking the refinery with downstream industries to accelerate Rajasthan's industrial growth.
He directed officials to expedite the finalisation of a proposed tripartite agreement to ensure seamless supply of feedstock from the refinery to industries in the Rajasthan Petro Zone (RPZ), Balotra.
Chairing a meeting at the Government Secretariat, Srinivas reviewed progress on the agreement between HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited, downstream industries, and the state government.
Officials informed that a 9 MMTPA Petroleum Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex is being developed at Pachpadra (Balotra) as a joint venture between the state government and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and will be operated by HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Shikhar Agarwal said that the RPZ has been developed by Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation near the refinery to facilitate efficient utilisation of by-products and feedstock. These inputs will support the growth of plastic, chemical, and allied industries, creating significant investment and employment opportunities in the region.
He added that a draft tripartite agreement has already been prepared in line with the Chief Minister's directives.
The agreement aims to establish a structured mechanism for supply, management, and optimal utilisation of refinery outputs, thereby strengthening an integrated industrial ecosystem.
The Chief Secretary instructed officials to complete all formalities on a priority basis, keeping in view the proposed inauguration of the refinery by PM Modi on April 21.
Senior officials from HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited, Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation, the Industries Department, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas participated in the meeting, focusing on accelerating implementation to drive industrial investment and growth in Rajasthan.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While industrial growth is welcome, I hope the government and HPCL have done thorough environmental impact assessments for Balotra. The area is already arid. We must ensure sustainable development and strict pollution control measures for the petrochemical complex. Water usage and waste management plans should be transparent.
Linking the refinery to downstream industries is a smart move. It will reduce logistics costs and make Rajasthan competitive for plastic and chemical manufacturing. This can attract big investments from other states too. Good to see things moving before the PM's visit. Jai Rajasthan! 💪
As someone working in the chemical industry, the tripartite agreement for feedstock supply is crucial. Price stability and guaranteed supply are what investors look for. If executed well, this zone could become a major hub. Hope the bureaucracy doesn't slow down the "priority basis" work after the inauguration.
Development is good, but what about the people of Pachpadra and Balotra? Will they get priority in employment? Often in such big projects, skilled workers are brought from outside. The state must ensure local communities benefit through jobs, skill development, and better infrastructure.
9 MMTPA is a massive capacity! This project, along with the dedicated petro zone, can really put Rajasthan on the industrial map of India. Hope the focus remains on long-term ecosystem building and not just on the inauguration event. The real work begins after April 21st.
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