India eyes global refining hub with Rs6.8 lakh crore push

India is planning a massive expansion of its refining and petrochemical industries, with seven major government and private-sector projects involving investments estimated at around Rs6.8 lakh crore, as the country seeks to strengthen its position as a global refining and export hub.
The projects, spread across Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra and Gujarat, are expected to increase domestic refining capacity, expand petrochemical production and reduce dependence on imported fuels and industrial raw materials, according to an international media.
The investment pipeline includes new refineries, capacity expansions and integrated petrochemical complexes. While some projects are advancing towards commissioning or construction, others remain at the planning or development stage.
Among the largest proposed investments is the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemical Project in Maharashtra, estimated to cost Rs3 lakh crore. Planned as a 60-million-tonne-per-annum (MMTPA) integrated refinery and petrochemical complex, it is envisaged as one of the world’s largest facilities of its kind.
The project, involving a consortium of Indian oil companies and foreign partners, is expected to process crude oil and produce fuels and petrochemical feedstocks. However, it has faced delays over land acquisition and environmental issues and remains at the planning stage.
In Andhra Pradesh, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) is developing a greenfield refinery and petrochemical complex at Ramayapatnam in Nellore district, with an estimated investment of Rs1.03 lakh crore.
The proposed facility will have a refining capacity of 12 MMTPA, alongside a 1.5-MMTPA ethylene cracker and an integrated petrochemical complex. Located near Ramayapatnam Port, the project is expected to support crude imports and petroleum product exports through India’s eastern coast.
Another major project is the Rajasthan Refinery being developed by HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd at Pachpadra in Barmer district. With a revised investment of Rs79,459 crore, the integrated complex will have a 9-MMTPA refinery and a petrochemical facility with a capacity of 2.4 MMTPA.
The project is designed to produce petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, aviation fuel and petrochemicals, including polypropylene. Its development is expected to strengthen fuel supplies in western India and support industrial activity in Rajasthan.
In Madhya Pradesh, BPCL is investing around Rs49,000 crore in expanding its Bina refinery and developing petrochemical facilities. The project will raise the refinery’s capacity from 7.8 MMTPA to 11 MMTPA and include a 1.2-MMTPA ethylene cracker.
The expansion is expected to increase domestic production of petrochemical products used in plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, reducing reliance on imported materials.
In Assam, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd is undertaking a Rs28,026-crore expansion to increase its refining capacity threefold, from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA.
A key part of the project is a 1,640-kilometre crude oil pipeline connecting Paradip in Odisha with Numaligarh. The expansion is expected to improve crude supply to the refinery and strengthen petroleum product availability in northeastern India.

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd is also planning a major petrochemical complex at Paradip in Odisha, with an approved investment of Rs61,077 crore. The project will be integrated with the existing 15-MMTPA Paradip refinery and include a 1.5-MMTPA dual-feed cracker and downstream petrochemical facilities.
The complex is expected to produce more than four million tonnes of petrochemical products annually, supporting industries such as plastics, packaging, textiles, pharmaceuticals and automotive manufacturing. The project is also projected to generate around 67,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Meanwhile, Reliance Industries Ltd is undertaking an estimated ₹75,000-crore expansion at its Jamnagar complex in Gujarat, already one of the world’s largest refining hubs.
The expansion focuses on petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and higher-value downstream products, building on the complex’s existing refining capacity of 68.2 MMTPA. It is expected to strengthen the company’s position in global refined petroleum and petrochemical markets.
Together, the projects reflect India’s push to move beyond conventional fuel refining towards integrated energy and petrochemical manufacturing. Higher domestic production could reduce the country’s exposure to imported petroleum products and chemicals while creating opportunities for industries that depend on petrochemical feedstocks.
The projects are also expected to generate substantial employment during construction and operation, while encouraging investment in transport, logistics, manufacturing and downstream industries.
India is simultaneously expanding its renewable energy capacity and pursuing a target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based power generation by 2030. The refinery and petrochemical investments form another part of its broader effort to strengthen energy security and industrial capacity.
However, the scale of the planned investment does not mean all the projects are at the same stage of implementation. The Ratnagiri project, in particular, remains delayed, while other projects have different construction and commissioning timelines.
If implemented as planned, the expansion programme could significantly strengthen India’s refining and petrochemical base, improve its capacity to serve international markets and support its ambition to become a major global supplier of refined petroleum products and petrochemicals.

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