Fire Breaks Out at Rajasthan Pachpadra Refinery Ahead of PM Modi’s Inauguration

Rajasthan: A fire incident occurred at the Pachpadra refinery in Rajasthan’s Balotra district shortly before its scheduled inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, causing concern and triggering an immediate emergency response at the site. The blaze reportedly originated in the crude distillation unit around 2 pm, with preliminary inputs from police indicating a possible technical fault as the cause. The refinery’s internal fire safety systems were activated promptly, and multiple fire brigade units along with hydrant systems were deployed to control the situation.

Authorities confirmed that approximately 30 to 35 fire tenders were rushed to the location as thick black smoke rose from the facility and was visible from several kilometres away. Officials stated that workers were safely evacuated and the entire area was cleared as a precautionary measure. No injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, and the fire has since been brought under control.

The refinery, considered India’s first greenfield integrated refinery and petrochemical complex, was being prepared for its high-profile inauguration. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site following the incident to assess the situation. Political reactions also emerged, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot terming the incident unfortunate given its timing, while Barmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal called for a detailed, impartial, and time-bound investigation to determine accountability.

Authorities have initiated a formal inquiry to identify the exact cause of the fire and assess any lapses in safety protocols at the facility.