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Chandigarh: Punjab Cabinet Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and NRI Affairs Sanjeev Arora on Tuesday highlighted HPCL–Mittal Energy Ltd.’s (HMEL) massive ₹2,600-crore expansion plan, terming the Bathinda-based refinery and petrochemical complex one of Punjab’s biggest industrial success stories.
Addressing a press conference, Arora said the AAP-led Punjab government, remains firmly committed to supporting large-scale investments and strengthening the state’s industrial ecosystem. He said HMEL represents a landmark public–private partnership between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)—a Navratna PSU—and Mittal Energy Investment Pte. Ltd. (Lakshmi N. Mittal Group), and has emerged as a backbone of Punjab’s industrial growth.
The minister noted that HMEL’s refinery and integrated petrochemical complex, spread over nearly 2,000 acres at Phulokheri village in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, began operations in 2011, while the petrochemical unit, commissioned in 2023, significantly boosted downstream value addition.
Arora said HMEL currently has an annual turnover of around ₹90,000 crore and contributes nearly ₹2,100 crore annually to Punjab’s exchequer, while employing about 10,000 people, directly and indirectly. The company also plays a vital role in meeting fuel demand across North India and is India’s second-largest polymer producer, accounting for nearly 14% of national polymer output.
Highlighting plans, Arora said HMEL Organics Pvt. Ltd. (HOPL), a 100% subsidiary, commissioned a bio-ethanol plant in 2024 and has now proposed a forward integration project in fine chemicals, involving a phased investment of over ₹2,600 crore. The expansion is expected to generate around 500 additional jobs, add ₹2,400 crore to annual turnover, and boost exports.
“We assure HMEL of full government support for expansion. Punjab’s progressive policies, ease of doing business and investor-friendly environment will continue to attract such marquee investments,” Arora said. HMEL Managing Director and CEO Prabh Das praised the Punjab government for its proactive policies, saying the refinery and petrochemical complex has operated uninterrupted since its inception.
“We received full support from the government and people of Punjab. Not a single day of construction or operations was affected. This reflects the state’s ease of doing business,” Das said, describing Arora as a “dynamic, reform-centric and outcome-focused leader.” He added that the expansion would open new opportunities for entrepreneurs, industries and youth, further accelerating Punjab’s industrial growth.
