Fire erupted at the Pachpadra refinery at Balotra in Rajasthan on Monday afternoon, the day prior to the inauguration ceremony of the refinery by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thereby forcing the authorities to reschedule the function.
The fire incident occurred at about 2 pm at the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the refinery, which is an important part of the refinery since crude oil needs to pass through it to reach other units. This unit is situated approximately 800 meters away from the site where the PM would speak to people.
VIDEO | A fire broke out at the Pachpadra refinery in Rajasthan's Balotra district, a day before its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 20, 2026
Fire tenders rushed to the spot and efforts were underway to douse the flames. No immediate reports of casualties available. More… pic.twitter.com/eT2xD4vsB4
In a statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that the inauguration scheduled for April 21 has been deferred. The ministry said the fire has been brought under control and no casualties have been reported. A revised date for the event will be announced later.
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Fire contained, evacuation carried out swiftly
Officials said employees activated the refinery’s fire safety systems immediately after smoke was detected, ensuring a prompt evacuation of the area. Around 20 fire brigade vehicles were deployed to contain the blaze, which was brought under control after a coordinated response.
A high alert has been issued across the refinery premises as a precautionary measure.
A few minutes ago: A massive fire broke out at the HPCL Pachpadra Refinery in Balotra, Rajasthan, India.
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) April 20, 2026
It happened a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the refinery tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/oUbCPqrwvO
An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the fire and assess any potential damage. Authorities said necessary remedial steps will be taken based on the findings.
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Key project faces unexpected delay
The Pachpadra refinery, developed by HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL), is a major energy infrastructure project in the region. The postponement of its inauguration comes as a setback, although officials indicated that safety remains the top priority
The incident did not result in any reported injuries, and operations at the site are being closely monitored following the fire.
