BackECONOMY
Announced, relaunched, delayed, burned: Pachpadra refinery’s troubled timeline
The Pachpadra greenfield refinery in Rajasthan has endured a decade of delays and cost escalations since its 2013 announcement. After a relaunch in 2018 and multiple political and logistical hurdles, a fire in 2026 hit the CDU and postponed planned inauguration.
Why It Matters
The project is pitched as India’s largest greenfield refinery and a potential driver of Rajasthan’s economy, energy security, and regional development. Its repeated delays highlight challenges in large-scale infrastructure, governance, and investment risk.
Timeline
13 Events
Inauguration postponed due to CDU fire
April 21, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled inauguration was postponed following the CDU fire incident, delaying the refinery’s commercial launch set for early July 2026.
Fire in CDU halts near-complete project
April 20, 2026
Around 2 pm on April 20, 2026, a fire broke out at the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the HPCL refinery site near Pachpadra. With about 92% of work reportedly completed, the incident disrupted timelines and threatened the planned inauguration for April 21, 2026.
Revised project cost approved and target set
April 8, 2026
On April 8, 2026, the administration approved a revised project cost of Rs 79,459 crore and set a target for commercial operations from July 1, 2026.
Administrative change and renewed approval process
2023
In 2023, after another change in government, the administration under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma prepared to advance the project amid ongoing reassessments.
COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the project
2021
The pandemic continued into 2021, maintaining disruption to construction and planning activities.
COVID-19 pandemic stalls progress
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and contributed to further delays in the refinery’s progress.
PM Modi relaunches the project
January 16, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi relaunched the Pachpadra refinery project on January 16, 2018, signaling renewed momentum after earlier delays.
Cost increase and revised completion target
2018
By 2018, the project cost had risen to Rs 43,129 crore, with a revised completion target of October 31, 2022.
Foundation stone laid for Pachpadra refinery
September 22, 2013
The foundation stone for the Pachpadra refinery was laid on September 22, 2013 by Sonia Gandhi, marking the project’s formal start at Pachpadra, Balotra. The project was structured as a JV between HPCL (74%) and the Rajasthan government (26%), with an initial cost of Rs 37,230 crore and a target completion of 2017–18.
Model Code of Conduct and political delays
2013
Before tendering and construction could begin, the Model Code of Conduct came into force during elections, and after a change in government the project was reassessed, leading to cost escalation and delay; the project effectively spent nearly five years in cold storage.
Project announced and JV structure outlined
2013
The refinery project was announced in 2013 as a joint venture between HPCL and the Rajasthan government, with an initial estimated cost of Rs 37,230 crore and a target completion by 2017–18.
Mangala field production begins
2009
Mangala oil field production began in 2009, highlighting the drive for a local Rajasthan refinery.
Mangala oil field discovery in Barmer
2004
The refinery story traces back to 2004, when the Mangala oil field was discovered in Barmer. Production from Mangala began in 2009, underscoring Rajasthan's need for a local refinery.