In a significant step towards bolstering India’s energy independence and promoting economic growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Downstream Petrochemical Complex and Refinery Expansion Project at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (BPCL) Bina Refinery. The state-of-the-art refinery, with an estimated cost of ₹49,000 crore, is poised to produce approximately 1,200 Kilo-Tonnes Per Annum (KTPA) of ethylene and propylene, crucial components for various sectors including textiles, packaging, pharmaceuticals, and more.
This visionary project, situated in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, marks a pivotal move towards realizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ or self-reliant India. Notably, it will significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imports, creating a ripple effect in the petroleum sector’s downstream industries and job opportunities.
Addressing a gathering of enthusiastic supporters and dignitaries at the event, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his commitment to the development of Madhya Pradesh, stating, “It is our continuous effort that Madhya Pradesh reaches new heights of development, the life of every family in Madhya Pradesh becomes easy, and every home brings prosperity.” He highlighted his government’s achievements in providing basic amenities to the citizens of the state, including the construction of 40 lakh pucca houses for the poor, ensuring access to toilets, free medical treatment, bank accounts, and clean cooking solutions.
Prime Minister Modi also celebrated recent decisions aimed at benefiting citizens, including a reduction in gas cylinder prices, particularly benefiting Ujjwala beneficiaries. He announced a further expansion of free gas connections, demonstrating his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of all Indians.
The Prime Minister underscored the government’s efforts to eliminate middlemen, ensuring that the benefits of various schemes reach the intended beneficiaries directly. He cited the success of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, which has disbursed over ₹2,60,000 crores to farmers, as an example of this streamlined approach. Furthermore, he emphasized the government’s investment in agriculture, including the provision of affordable fertilizers, resulting in substantial savings for Indian farmers.
In his address, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, hailed the petrochemical complex as a ‘gift’ from the Prime Minister not only to Bina but to the entire Bundelkhand region and Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted the complex’s potential to stimulate downstream industries related to plastic, packaging materials, and more, ultimately contributing to the development of Bundelkhand.
Minister Puri drew parallels with the successful OPAL plant in Gujarat, underscoring the transformative potential of this project in Madhya Pradesh. He described it as a catalyst for industrial development and self-reliance, positioning India as a global leader in the petrochemicals sector.
Highlighting India’s energy resilience, Minister Puri noted that despite global oil and gas industry volatility, India had managed to insulate its citizens from energy shortages and price spikes, thanks to visionary policies. He emphasized the remarkable progress in Madhya Pradesh’s energy infrastructure, with a significant increase in retail outlets, LPG distributorship’s, PNG connections, CNG stations, and natural gas pipeline length.
