Intro: A major fire at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan has prompted Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to schedule an inspection visit, while the planned inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been postponed.
Jaipur
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the incident, even as officials confirm that no casualties were reported and the situation is under control.
The fire broke out on Monday at the Pachpadra Refinery site in the Balotra district, sending panic across the facility just a day before its scheduled inauguration. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma is set to arrive at the site on Tuesday afternoon to assess the damage and review safety measures, particularly around the Crude Distillation Unit where the incident originated.
According to officials, the blaze was swiftly contained due to coordinated efforts by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) teams and the state administration. Emergency response units acted promptly to bring the situation under control, ensuring that the fire did not spread to other sections of the refinery. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or loss of life occurred during the incident.
HPCL stated that all units of the refinery remain structurally safe despite the fire. In its preliminary findings, the company indicated that the blaze may have been triggered by a hydrocarbon leak from a valve flange within the heat exchanger circuit in the Crude Distillation Unit.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to inaugurate the refinery has been postponed as a precautionary measure. The delay comes amid heightened concerns over industrial safety and operational readiness.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has constituted a high-level committee comprising external experts to investigate the root cause of the fire. The committee will also recommend urgent remedial actions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In an official statement, the Ministry reiterated that swift action by HPCL and state authorities helped avert a larger disaster. The government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring safety and accountability as the investigation progresses.