Fire Erupts at Rajasthan Refinery Ahead of PM Modi's Visit

A significant fire broke out at the Pachpadra refinery in Rajasthan's Barmer district on Monday, April 20, 2026, just one day before its inauguration scheduled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to reports from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the fire ignited in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), resulting in heavy smoke filling the refinery complex.

Emergency response teams promptly arrived at the scene following the fire outbreak. Authorities deployed numerous fire tenders from Balotra and nearby regions as part of efforts to extinguish the blaze. At the time of reporting, operations to control the fire were still in progress.

Rajasthan's Chief Secretary V Srinivas arrived at the location, accompanied by senior officials from various departments, including police and security services. In view of the fire, evacuation procedures were implemented for the CDU unit and the adjacent areas as a precautionary measure.

The fire incident coincided with the planned visit of Prime Minister Modi, who was to inaugurate one of the refinery's key units on April 21. Additionally, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma was scheduled to check on security arrangements at the site later on Monday.

The Pachpadra refinery project has undergone several developments since its inception, with its foundation stone laid by Sonia Gandhi on September 22, 2013, under the previous government led by Ashok Gehlot. Initially projected to cost ₹37,230 crore, the refinery project was relaunch by Prime Minister Modi on January 16, 2018, with an updated budget of ₹43,129 crore.