Firefighters rushed to Pachpadra Refinery in Barmer, Rajasthan, on Monday due to a fire in one of its units, just before its scheduled inauguration. The fire, originating in the Crude Distillation Unit, led to thick smoke rising from the site, triggering the activation of the refinery’s safety systems. Around 20 fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze, with employees in the affected area evacuated as a precaution.
Police officials confirmed that the situation was brought under control after concerted efforts, as fire tenders were dispatched to the venue. Despite the incident occurring shortly before the arrival of Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, officials described it as “minor” and stated that the fire had been extinguished successfully. An investigation into the cause of the fire is pending.
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully expressed concern over the incident, calling it a serious matter. He criticized the government’s handling of the refinery project, suggesting that the inauguration was rushed for publicity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Rajasthan to inaugurate the Refinery-cum-Petrochemical Complex, a significant milestone in India’s energy and industrial sectors.
