Balotra, Rajasthan : A fire broke out at the Pachpadra oil refinery in Rajasthan’s Balotra district just a day before its scheduled inauguration by Narendra Modi. The incident reportedly occurred in the refinery’s CDU (Crude Distillation Unit), triggering panic within the premises. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the site as emergency response teams rushed to control the situation.
Fire safety systems were immediately activated, and multiple fire brigade teams are currently engaged in bringing the flames under control. As of now, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and efforts are ongoing to fully contain the situation.
High-Level Visits Scheduled Despite Incident
The refinery is set to be officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on April 21 at around 11 AM. Ahead of the event, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma is scheduled to visit the site later today to review preparations and assess the situation following the fire.
A Major Project for Rajasthan’s Growth
The Pachpadra Refinery is being seen as a game-changing development for the state’s economy. Built at an estimated cost of ₹72,000 crore, the project is expected to attract significant investment and generate employment opportunities across the region.
According to officials, the state government holds a 26% stake in the project. Once operational, the refinery is likely to create thousands of direct jobs and lakhs of indirect employment opportunities, particularly benefiting youth in Barmer, Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur.
Chief Minister Sharma has previously described the refinery as a milestone for Rajasthan’s development, highlighting its potential to transform the economic landscape of western Rajasthan.