Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas expressed deep regret over the recent fire at the Pachpadra refinery, highlighting that a thorough investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire. The blaze, which originated in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), has been successfully extinguished by emergency response teams, bringing the situation under control. Srinivas emphasized the importance of understanding the incident’s root cause and any potential oversights to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
He assured that a detailed inquiry will be conducted to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding the fire and to commend the quick and effective response of the refinery’s engineers and emergency teams. Srinivas confirmed that no injuries were reported, and all individuals at the site are safe. He mentioned that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is set to visit the refinery on April 21 for an on-site assessment, while continuous monitoring by relevant authorities ensures the situation remains stable.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot raised concerns regarding the timing of the fire, occurring just before the refinery’s inauguration and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit. Gehlot questioned the level of preparedness and safety measures in place, suggesting that haste and administrative pressure may have contributed to the incident. He urged for a thorough investigation at both the state and national levels to determine accountability and prevent future mishaps.
The fire incident, which led to the postponement of the refinery’s inauguration, caused panic in parts of Rajasthan. Triggered by an exchanger malfunction in the CDU-VDU section, the fire prompted immediate evacuation measures to ensure the safety of all personnel on-site. Despite the disruption, no casualties were reported, and efforts are underway to enhance safety protocols and compliance with regulations to avoid such incidents in the future.
