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Fire at Rajasthan Refinery Postpones PM Modi's Inauguration Visit

A fire broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan, leading to the postponement of its scheduled inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The blaze, which started in the Crude Distillation Unit, was brought under control with no reported casualties. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed deep concern, calling the incident unfortunate for the state's pride project. Authorities have launched an investigation and will announce a new date for the inauguration ceremony.

Key Points: Fire at Pachpadra Refinery Postpones PM Modi's Rajasthan Visit

  • Fire at crude distillation unit
  • Inauguration by PM postponed
  • No casualties reported
  • Investigation into cause initiated
  • Emergency protocols successfully activated
2 min read

Rajasthan: PM Modi's visit postponed after fire at Pachpadra Refinery

A fire at Rajasthan's Pachpadra Refinery forces the postponement of its inauguration by PM Modi. No casualties reported; investigation underway.

"Due to an unfortunate fire incident... the scheduled dedication of the refinery... has been postponed. - Ministry of Petroleum"

Jaipur, April 20

A fire incident was reported on Monday at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan's Balotra district, leading to the postponement of its scheduled inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that the inauguration ceremony, originally planned for Tuesday, has been deferred following the incident.

In an official statement, the Ministry said: "Due to an unfortunate fire incident today in the vicinity of the Crude Distillation Unit at the HRRL refinery, the scheduled dedication of the refinery by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 21.04.2026 has been postponed."

The fire has been brought under control. There are no reports of any casualties. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the causes of the incident. A revised date for the inauguration will be announced in due course, the Ministry said.

According to initial reports, the fire broke out around 2:00 p.m. following an explosion in an exchanger in the refinery's Crude and Vacuum Distillation Unit.

The blaze spread rapidly, triggering panic among employees and officials at the site.

Emergency protocols were immediately activated, and the refinery premises were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

All personnel were safely escorted out, and no injuries or casualties have been reported.

Local administration and emergency services responded swiftly. Fire tenders, many of which were already stationed nearby in view of PM Modi's scheduled programme, were immediately deployed to control the blaze.

Firefighters worked for nearly two hours to contain the fire, which is now under control. Cooling operations and safety assessments are ongoing.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed the incident "extremely unfortunate."

In a post on X, he expressed concern, noting that the refinery is a matter of pride for the state, and wished for the safety of all personnel.

He said he was deeply concerned upon hearing about the fire at the refinery in Pachpadra, Balotra, adding that the refinery is a project of immense pride for Rajasthanis and that its inauguration was scheduled for tomorrow.

At such a juncture, this incident is truly unfortunate, he added, and prayed for the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and to implement necessary safety measures.

Officials stated that further updates, including the rescheduled inauguration date, will be shared soon.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Thank God there are no casualties! 🙏 The swift response by the fire department and the fact that tenders were already nearby is a silver lining. Hope the investigation is transparent and not rushed just for an inauguration.
R
Rohit P
A major fire just before the PM's visit raises serious questions about safety protocols. Were corners cut in the final preparations? This needs a proper inquiry, not just a postponement.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked on industrial projects, an incident like this so close to an inauguration is a major red flag. The investigation must be independent. Glad everyone is safe.
V
Vikram M
Good decision to postpone. Jai Rajasthan! This refinery will bring jobs and growth to the region. A small delay is nothing compared to the long-term benefits for our state. 🤝
K
Kavya N
The most important thing is that all personnel are safe. Shoutout to the firefighters and emergency teams who acted so quickly. Hope the workers and their families are getting the support they need.

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