Jaipur, July 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the country’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex and laid the foundation stone for the Jaipur Metro Phase-2 project (Prahladpura to Todi Mod) during a programme held at Pachpadra in Balotra district. He also dedicated and launched development projects worth over Rs 1.05 lakh crore for Rajasthan.

During the event, letters of appreciation were presented to approximately 54,000 newly selected youths across various government departments.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the refinery-cum-petrochemical complex, which is expected to play a significant role in meeting the energy requirements of both Rajasthan and the nation.

Developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan, the 9 MMTPA greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex has been established at an investment of Rs 79,459 crore. The project integrates refining and petrochemical production and features a petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA.

The refinery has been designed with state-of-the-art technology to process a blend of Rajasthan crude and imported crude. It has a Nelson Complexity Index of 17.0 and a petrochemical production intensity of over 26 per cent, matching global standards of efficiency and sustainability.

The project is expected to strengthen India’s energy security, enhance self-reliance in the petrochemical sector, and accelerate industrial growth. It will also serve as an anchor industry for the development of petrochemical and plastic parks, encouraging downstream industries and ancillary sectors across the region.

PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Jaipur Metro Rail Project Phase-2, under which a 41-km North-South corridor will be developed from Prahladpura to Todi Mod. Connecting major industrial and residential areas from Sitapura to Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKIA), the corridor is expected to become Jaipur’s transport lifeline.

The project includes 36 metro stations and involves an investment of over Rs 13,037 crore.

The project will be implemented by Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan. The Phase-2 corridor will provide seamless connectivity to key locations, including Sitapura Industrial Area, VKIA, Jaipur International Airport, Tonk Road, SMS Hospital and Stadium, Ambabari, and Vidyadhar Nagar.

An underground metro station will also be constructed at the airport.

Following approval by the Union Cabinet, Rajasthan Metro Rail Corporation Limited has already issued the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for works worth over Rs 918.04 crore under the first package of Phase-2.

On the occasion, letters of appreciation were presented to approximately 54,000 newly selected candidates recruited to various government departments.

PM Modi dedicated the Churu-Sadulpur (58 km) and Churu-Ratangarh (46 km) rail doubling projects to the nation. Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 892 crore, these projects will significantly strengthen rail connectivity across north-west Rajasthan, particularly in Churu district.

The additional rail capacity will facilitate smoother, safer and more punctual movement of both passenger and freight trains, while easing congestion and improving operational efficiency across the network.

Energy projects worth Rs 9,079 crore were also inaugurated on the occasion. These included SJVN’s 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project and NHPC’s 300 MW Karnisar Solar Power Plant in Bikaner, further strengthening Rajasthan’s position as a leading renewable energy hub.

The programme was attended by Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Dr Prem Chand Bairwa, state ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior officials, and a large gathering of citizens.

–IANS

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