Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, April 20: A fire broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan’s Barmer district on Monday, just a day before its scheduled inauguration, prompting an emergency response and brief panic among officials at the site.
The incident reportedly originated in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), where thick smoke was seen rising, triggering immediate activation of the facility’s fire safety systems. Employees working in the affected section were evacuated as a precaution.
Around 20 fire tenders were rushed to the refinery to douse the flames, while emergency teams and on-site personnel worked together to contain the situation using built-in suppression mechanisms. Officials later confirmed that the fire was brought under control after sustained efforts.
Police control room sources told reporters that the situation was stabilised following coordinated firefighting operations. Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office also described the incident as “minor,” stating that the fire had been successfully extinguished and no major disruption was reported.
The refinery is located close to the inauguration venue, and the timing of the incident—just ahead of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma’s scheduled visit—added to concerns at the site. However, authorities have not reported any casualties so far.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and a formal investigation is expected to be conducted.
The incident also triggered political reactions. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully termed the fire “serious and concerning,” questioning the preparedness and timing of the inauguration. He alleged that the project had faced delays and cost escalations, and claimed the incident reflected administrative negligence.
Despite the setback, the event remains significant for Rajasthan and the national energy sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the state to inaugurate the Pachpadra Refinery project, which is being described as India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex.
The project is being developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Government of Rajasthan, with an investment exceeding Rs 79,450 crore. With a planned capacity of 9 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), the facility is expected to play a major role in strengthening India’s energy infrastructure and petrochemical production capabilities.