Narendra Modi laid the foundation for a 72,000-crore nuclear power plant at Napla village, Banswara, along the Banswara-Ratlam route in southern Rajasthan, marking a significant step for the state. Now, before the year ends, he is expected to inaugurate the ambitious Pachpadra Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in western Rajasthan, offering yet another milestone in the state’s industrial landscape.
Pachpadra Refinery: A Game-Changer for Rajasthan
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, addressing the Pravasi Rajasthani Meet in Surat, indicated that operations at the Pachpadra Refinery and Petrochemical Complex will begin by December. The government will also facilitate investors in establishing Global Capability Centers and Data Centers.
The Pachpadra project, located near Jodhpur, is one of India’s most expensive refinery projects, with an estimated cost of ₹72,000 crore. Developed as a joint venture between HPCL and the Rajasthan government, the refinery will process 9 million tons of crude oil per annum (MTPA), producing petrol, diesel, ATF, LPG, and petrochemical products such as polypropylene. The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate local industries, transport, and services, and generate substantial annual revenue for the state. Additionally, it will enhance Rajasthan’s energy self-reliance and reduce India’s dependence on imported petroleum products, aligning with PM Modi’s “Vocal for Local” vision.
Pravasi Rajasthani Initiatives and Investment Opportunities
CM Sharma also discussed the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas on December 10 in Jaipur. The state government will annually present Pravasi Rajasthani Samman Awards, honoring expatriates excelling in science, business, arts, sports, literature, cinema, music, and social service. Sharma invited diaspora entrepreneurs to invest in IT, pharma, energy, textiles, mining, tourism, and specifically in Pachpadra Refinery’s petrochemical units, as well as gem and jewelry sectors.
Sharma highlighted the complementary strengths of Gujarat and Rajasthan, noting that Surat is globally renowned for diamond cutting and synthetic textiles, while Rajasthan excels in colored stones, kundan, and meenakari craftsmanship. He emphasized that collaboration between the two states can establish Rajasthan as a “Global Gems and Jewelry Hub”.
Infrastructure, Water, and Development Projects
Sharma also met Union Minister of Water Resources C.R. Patil to discuss the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (Ram Setu), estimated at ₹44,605 crore. Meanwhile, Rajasthan and Haryana held the fourth positive task force meeting at Panchkula on Yamuna water sharing, with Rajasthan proposing multiple routes to bring water to Shekhawati, including Hathinikund to Sirsa branch (80 km), Yamuna River, National Highway, and the Western Yamuna Canal.
Looking Ahead
If these initiatives—Pachpadra Refinery, nuclear power plant, canal projects, and industrial investments—materialize before the new year, Rajasthan is set to embrace 2026 as a year of unprecedented growth and development, heralding a new dawn of prosperity for the state.