Rajasthan Refinery Safety : Ashok Gehlot Slams Delays and Political Tactics Over Pachpadra Refinery

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has launched a scathing attack on the current administration regarding the progress and safety concerns of the Pachpadra Refinery project. Addressing recent claims and technical hurdles, Gehlot asserted that rumors of fire risks or safety lapses at such a modern, newly constructed plant are "scientifically impossible" and are being used as excuses to delay the project's completion.

Gehlot Defends the "Dream Project"

The HPCL Rajasthan Refinery (HRRL) in Pachpadra (Barmer) has long been considered Ashok Gehlot’s "Dream Project." During his recent visit and subsequent media interaction, he emphasized that the plant utilizes world-class technology.

"To say that a fire could break out at a brand-new, state-of-the-art plant is nothing but a baseless attempt to create fear. These modern refineries are built with multiple layers of automated safety protocols. Such claims only serve to demoralize the workforce and stall progress," Gehlot stated.

The Cost of Delay: A Multi-Crore Burden

Gehlot expressed deep concern over the escalating costs caused by what he terms "political roadblocks."

Initial Budget vs. Current Cost: The project, which was initially envisioned at a much lower cost, has seen its budget balloon significantly due to missed deadlines.

Economic Impact: He highlighted that every day of delay prevents Rajasthan from becoming a major hub for the petrochemical industry, costing the state thousands of potential jobs.

Political Face-off Over Credit and Completion

The Pachpadra Refinery has become a central point of contention between the Congress and the BJP in Rajasthan.

The "Credit War": While Gehlot claims the foundation and momentum were built during his tenure, the current government argues that technical flaws and financial mismanagement from the previous term are responsible for the hurdles.

Safety Allegations: Recent reports suggesting potential gas leaks or fire hazards were dismissed by Gehlot as "manufactured narratives" to justify the slow pace of work under the new regime.

Call for Immediate Commissioning

The former CM urged the state and central governments to stop the "blame game" and focus on the technical commissioning of the plant. He reminded the public that the refinery is not just a building but an economic lifeline for Western Rajasthan, which would produce petroleum products and provide raw materials for dozens of ancillary industries.

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