Discuss the role of the chemicals and petrochemicals sector in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047. How can India reduce its import dependence while ensuring environmental safety?

India is the world's 6th-largest chemical producer, yet it ran a chemical trade deficit of USD 31 bn in 2023 [1]. To reach Viksit Bharat by 2047, this sector must move from importer to global hub without damaging the environment.

Role in Viksit Bharat 2047

• Input for everything: fertilisers, pharma APIs, textiles, plastics and construction materials all depend on chemicals. Growth here lifts the whole of manufacturing.
• Growth engine: NITI Aayog targets USD 1 trillion output and a 12% share of global value chains by 2040, up from about 3.5% today [1].
• Strategic autonomy: India relies on China for APIs and the Gulf for feedstock [1]. Making these at home serves Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Balanced growth: the sector is concentrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu [1]. New clusters can spread industry to other regions.

Reducing import dependence

• Feedstock security: a parliamentary committee projected the petrochemical demand–capacity gap to rise from 1,124 KTPA (2018-19) to 7,112 KTPA by 2025 [3]. India needs crackers linked to refineries.
• Clusters with anchor tenants: BHAVYA Rasayan funds 3 greenfield parks with ₹3,030 crore, up to ₹1,000 crore per park [2]. Selection should require an anchor tenant that supplies feedstock. The Andhra Pradesh PCPIR, which has none, is the warning [4].
• Fixing the inverted duty: cut duty on feedstock India cannot make, and raise it where domestic capacity is enough [5].
• Calibrated FTAs: the chemical deficit with FTA partners widened after the agreements were signed [3]. Assess the impact on the sector before the next negotiation.
• Policy reset: replace the outdated 2007 Petrochemicals Policy with a new framework [4]. Fund R&D and skills in green chemistry [1].

Ensuring environmental safety

• Shared pollution control: BHAVYA parks include a CETP, TSDF and hazardous-waste facilities [2]. Regulators get one point to monitor instead of many scattered units.
• Process safety: the 2020 LG Polymers styrene leak in Visakhapatnam shows why plants need hazard audits, buffer zones and strict clearance under the EP Act, 1986.
• Circularity: shared solvent recovery and zero-liquid-discharge systems [2] cut waste and costs together.

In short, the sector is central to India's industrial ambitions. Feedstock security, sound tariffs and anchored clusters can cut imports, while shared green infrastructure keeps growth safe. Combined with a new petrochemicals policy, these steps can make India a self-reliant, sustainable chemicals hub, in line with SDG 9 and SDG 12.