Akash Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries Limited, on Thursday unveiled plans to build a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Jamnagar, a city long regarded as a cornerstone of the Ambani family’s business empire.
Addressing an event marking the 25th anniversary of Reliance’s first refinery in Jamnagar, Ambani emphasized that the AI initiative would establish the city as a global leader in AI technology. He also reiterated the importance of Jamnagar to the Reliance group, describing it as the “jewel” of the family’s legacy.
“We are committed to building AI infrastructure in Jamnagar that will not only position the city as a leader in AI but will also rank it among the top global players,” said Ambani. “We’ve already started this transformation and are determined to complete it in true Jamnagar style, within a record time of just 24 months,” he added.
Akash Ambani, along with siblings Isha and Anant, reaffirmed their commitment to driving the growth of Reliance and ensuring Jamnagar remains a key hub for the conglomerate’s success. “Isha, Anant, and I are united in our mission to grow Reliance together and maintain Jamnagar as the jewel of our family,” Ambani said. “This is our promise to the entire Reliance family, including our parents.”
Jamnagar Refinery: 25 Years of Engineering Excellence
Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery, which celebrated its 25th anniversary on December 28, 2024, has grown into a global refining powerhouse. The refinery, the company’s first, has become a symbol of India’s industrial capabilities and is now considered one of the largest and most advanced in the world.
In 1999, when the project was first announced, many industry experts doubted the feasibility of constructing the world’s largest refinery in such a remote and underdeveloped location. Despite facing significant challenges—including a lack of infrastructure, severe weather conditions, and skepticism from global consultants—Reliance completed the refinery in just 33 months, defying all odds.
Dhirubhai Ambani, the late founder of Reliance, was determined to build not just an industrial facility but a world-class “Nandanwan”—a place of prosperity and innovation. Between 1996 and 1999, Dhirubhai and his dedicated team overcame logistical obstacles and developed the refinery into an engineering marvel.
Today, Jamnagar houses some of the world’s largest refining units, including the Fluidised Catalytic Cracker (FCC), Coker, Alkylation, Paraxylene, Polypropylene, Refinery Off-Gas Cracker (ROGC), and Petcoke gasification plants.
Reliance’s Vision for Jamnagar’s Future
With the commitment to AI infrastructure, Akash Ambani emphasized Reliance’s broader vision of making Jamnagar a leader in the information and technology sector as well. “In this new age of technology, we are determined to make Jamnagar a global leader, just as we’ve done with our refinery,” he said. The ongoing AI projects are part of a larger plan to position Reliance and Jamnagar at the forefront of technological innovation.
Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery is a symbol of the company’s resilience and ambition, and as it celebrates 25 years of operations, the Ambani family is setting its sights on ensuring the city continues to lead in both energy and technology sectors for decades to come.
