Jamnagar: Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd, recently addressed employees in Jamnagar to mark the 25th anniversary of the company’s flagship refinery. He emphasised that Jamnagar is set to be a platform for long-term growth, not just for Reliance, but also for its employees and future generations.

“Jamnagar is not only the best oil refinery in the world, it has the biggest gigafactory in the world, the biggest solar energy and fourth is the world’s artificial intelligence infrastructure. Besides, the digital factory will also be in Jamnagar,” Mukesh Ambani told the employees. “It sets a platform, which will be a platform for growth for the next many decades, for all of you, for your children,” he added.

Reliance is also developing artificial intelligence infrastructure in Jamnagar, a city regarded as a jewel for the Reliance family, within just 24 months. Furthermore, Ambani spoke about Jamnagar’s role in nature conservation, through the Reliance Foundation’s Vantara initiative. The Vantara program, launched in February 2024, focuses on the rescue, treatment, care, and rehabilitation of injured, abused, and threatened animals both in India and abroad. The program spans 3,000 acres within the Green Belt of the Jamnagar Refinery Complex and aims to be a leading contributor to global conservation efforts.

Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery, the conglomerate’s first, celebrated its 25th anniversary on December 28, 2024. The facility has since become the world’s refining hub and an engineering marvel. When the refinery project was first proposed, many experts deemed it impossible to establish the largest refinery in the world in a desert-like region, which lacked roads, electricity, and sufficient water supply. However, despite these challenges, Reliance completed the refinery in a record 33 months, overcoming hurdles such as a severe cyclone that hit the region during construction.

Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance, defied the warnings of project consultants who advised against setting up the refinery in such a remote area. His vision was not merely to build an industrial plant but to create a thriving, self-sustaining complex. Between 1996 and 1999, Dhirubhai and his motivated team succeeded in transforming Jamnagar into an industrial powerhouse. Today, the Jamnagar refinery complex houses some of the world’s largest industrial units, including the Fluidised Catalytic Cracker, Coker, Alkylation, Paraxylene, Polypropylene, Refinery Off-Gas Cracker, and Petcoke gasification plants.

Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, remembered Dhirubhai Ambani, while addressing employees and their families gathered to celebrate 25 years of Jamnagar Refinery. Calling it the Reliance founder’s “karmabhumi“, she said Jamnagar, in Gujarat, holds a “deep and dear” place in their hearts.

“For Kokila mummy, it is a Janmabhumi, the land of her birth, representing her roots and values. She is here with us today and all this has been possible only because of Aashirwad. Thank you Mummy, for everything that you do for us,” she said.

Remembering Dhirubhai Ambani, she said, “For Papa, Sri Dhirubhai Ambani, Jamnagar was his karmabhumi, the land of his vision, his dreams, his destiny, symbolising his duty, dedication and purpose. Yesterday was Papa’s 92nd birthday. I’m sure he’s showering his blessings on all of us here in Jamnagar.”

“For Mukesh, it has been his struggle bhumi, the land of devotion and respect. This is where Papa saw the big dream of setting up the world’s largest grassroots refinery. And this is where Mukesh helped to bring his father’s dream into reality,” she said.

“And, for our children, especially Anant, it is his seva bhoomi, the land of his service and compassion. This is the beating heart of our families dreams,” she added.

Meanwhile, RIL Director Akash Ambani announced an ambitious plan to transform Jamnagar into a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure within 24 months. Speaking at the event, Akash Ambani shared his vision for Jamnagar’s future: “We have already commenced building AI infrastructure in Jamnagar, and we want to complete it in true Jamnagar style … in record time — 24 months. This will make Jamnagar not only a leader in AI infrastructure but also place it among the top-ranked in the world.”

Anant Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries Limited, spoke about his deep connection to animals and his commitment to fulfilling his father’s vision for the Jamnagar refinery during a celebration marking its 25th anniversary.  “My respected grandfather, Shri Dhirubhai Ambani, had a dream. He wanted to build a refinery which would be the best in the world. 25 years ago, in the lifetime of my grandfather, my father, Shri Mukesh Bhai, fulfilled this dream of Dhirubhai Ambani,” Anant said.

Anant made a promise to his father, stating, “On this holy day, I take an oath and promise my father that I will fulfill all the dreams associated with Jamnagar. One more thing, the way my mother taught me to love animals and birds, similarly, by taking inspiration from Vantara, I request you to love all the animals.”

“Vantara has proved that Reliance takes care of animals and birds as much as it takes care of humans. Vantara is a living example of Reliance’s We Care philosophy. I am sure that 25 years from now, when India’s independence will be celebrated, we will take the pride of Jamnagar to new heights,” he added.

Over the past 25 years, the Jamnagar refinery has evolved into one of the most advanced refineries in the world, housing state-of-the-art facilities such as the Fluidised Catalytic Cracker (FCC), Coker, Alkylation, Paraxylene, Polypropylene, Refinery Off-Gas Cracker (ROGC), and Petcoke gasification plants.