Massive fire breaks out at Rajasthan refinery day before PM Modi’s inauguration visit
JAIPUR, APR 20 : A massive fire broke out at the Pachpadra refinery in Rajasthan’s Balotra district, a day before its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The entire area has been evacuated after the fire suddenly erupted on Monday afternoon, spreading a sense of panic in the area.
With PM Modi scheduled to inaugurate the refinery on Tuesday, this incident has raised serious questions regarding the security arrangements and preparations in place.
According to eyewitnesses, plumes of smoke rising from the refinery complex were visible from a considerable distance following the outbreak of the fire. The blaze is reported to have originated in the refinery’s CDU (Crude Distillation Unit), triggering alarm among the administration and officials. The intensity of the fire was such that, within moments, an atmosphere of chaos and panic gripped the entire area.
Upon observing the smoke billowing from the refinery premises, the fire safety systems were immediately activated, and efforts to extinguish the blaze were intensified. Teams from both the municipal fire department and the refinery’s internal fire brigade worked relentlessly to bring the fire under control.
A large number of fire tenders rushed to the scene immediately, and operations to contain the fire commenced without delay. Reports indicate that security personnel and refinery employees were promptly evacuated to safe locations.
Currently, there are no reports of any casualties. The situation is being constantly monitored, and efforts are underway to bring the fire under control at the earliest. While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, the administration and a technical team are currently on-site conducting an investigation.
Relief and rescue operations are currently underway, and the administration is maintaining a close watch on the situation.
This incident is considered particularly grave given that the refinery’s inauguration ceremony by the Prime Minister is scheduled for tomorrow. Also, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is scheduled to visit the refinery this evening.
In preparation for these events, the State Chief Secretary, V Srinivas, had arrived in Pachpadra on Monday.
The refinery boasts an annual production capacity of 9 million metric tonnes. It is designed to refine 150,000 tonnes of crude oil extracted from the Barmer region, while the remaining crude oil requirements will be met through external sources.
The Rajasthan refinery built at a cost of Rs 79,450 crore is considered one of India’s key energy projects.
-PTI
