Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 4, 2026, inaugurated India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex at Pachpadra in Balotra district, Rajasthan. The project has been developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan, with equity participation of 74% and 26%, respectively.
Project Profile
The Pachpadra Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex has been established at an investment of over ₹79,450 crore. It has a refining capacity of 9 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) and an integrated petrochemical production capacity of 2.4 MMTPA.
A greenfield project refers to a new industrial facility built from the ground up on previously undeveloped land.
Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Complex
The project combines a crude oil refinery with petrochemical manufacturing units at a single location. The integrated facility is expected to support downstream industries such as plastics, polymers, synthetic fibres, and chemical manufacturing.
The refinery is also expected to serve as the anchor industry for the proposed Petrochemical and Plastic Park in western Rajasthan, encouraging industrial investment and generating employment in the region.
Key Operational Features
The refinery has been designed to process a blend of Rajasthan crude and imported crude oil. It features a Nelson Complexity Index of 17, enabling the production of high-value petroleum products while meeting modern efficiency and environmental standards.
The inauguration was originally scheduled for April 21, 2026, but was postponed after a fire at the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) on April 20. Following restoration of the affected unit, the refinery was commissioned on July 4.
HPCL plans to commission the petrochemical units in the fourth quarter of 2026, with some production expected to begin by November or December.
Important Facts
- Location: Pachpadra, Balotra district, Rajasthan
- Project Type: India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex
- Investment: Over ₹79,450 crore
- Refining Capacity: 9 MMTPA
- Petrochemical Capacity: 2.4 MMTPA
- Joint Venture: HPCL (74%) and Government of Rajasthan (26%)
- Nelson Complexity Index: 17
- Anchor Industry: Proposed Petrochemical and Plastic Park in western Rajasthan
Key Terms
MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum): A standard unit used to measure the annual processing capacity of refineries and other large industrial plants.
Crude Distillation Unit (CDU): The primary processing unit in a refinery where crude oil is separated into different petroleum fractions based on their boiling points.
Greenfield Project: A project developed on previously unused land without relying on existing industrial infrastructure.