Gehlot Urges Timely Completion of Barmery Refinery Project

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has stressed the need for completing the Barmery refinery-cum-petrochemical project within the given timeframe. He claims the project, which has faced multiple delays, is now 79 percent complete. Gehlot urges coordination between state and central authorities, alongside HPCL, to meet the December 2024 target.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has emphasized the urgent need for the timely completion of the Barmery refinery-cum-petrochemical project.

According to Gehlot, 79 percent of the work was finished by May, but delays have pushed the remaining tasks to potentially take another year.

The project, initially approved during the UPA government's tenure and restarted in 2013, faced a five-year stall after a change in state administration. Gehlot claims contractual changes during this period added unnecessary financial burdens. He noted that while the Congress government accelerated progress upon regaining power in 2018, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war caused further interruptions.

Gehlot stated that top HPCL officials assured him in June 2023 that commercial production would commence by December 31, 2024.

The project is a joint venture between the state government and HPCL.

(With inputs from agencies.)