Hindustan Petroleum Corporation's (HPCL) Rs 37,230-crore refinery-cum-petrochemical project at Pachpadra in Barmer of Rajasthan is said to help the state to develop economically. According to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the project is expected to bring an overall investment of Rs 60,000-70,000 crore in the area.    

Foundation is going to be laid for the refinery-cum-petrochemical project soon by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the Chief Minister said.    

The project is said to put Barmer, the most industrially backward district in country, on equal footing with Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Chief Minister hoped.    

The production from Barmer has brought in revenue of Rs 14,000 crore (till August 31, 2013), said State Petroleum Secretary Sudhansh Pant. Thar Desert has already touched a new milestone by crossing the 1.80 lakh barrels of oil per day production mark from Cairn India-operated Barmer oil wells. The state government is getting average revenue of Rs 17 crore per day against royalty and CST for the oil production.