Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has urged the state and central governments to ensure the timely completion of the Barmery refinery-cum-petrochemical project.
Gehlot cited reports indicating that 79% of the work had been completed by May, suggesting it could take another year to finish the project.
“The state government should coordinate with the central government and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to ensure the refinery work is completed within the stipulated timeframe,” Gehlot posted on X on Saturday.
He noted that the project had been approved under the United Progressive Alliance government, with work starting in 2013 under the Congress administration in Rajasthan. However, he claimed the project was delayed for five years due to a change in the state government.
Gehlot alleged that modifications to the memorandum of understanding during that period had placed an unnecessary financial burden on the state.
He added that when the Congress returned to power in 2018, efforts to expedite the project were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which caused repeated delays due to equipment shortages.
“When I visited the refinery on 2 June 2023, top HPCL officials assured me that commercial production would begin by 31 December 2024,” Gehlot said.
The refinery-cum-petrochemical project is a joint venture between the Rajasthan government and HPCL.
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