A major fire broke out at the HPCL Pachpadra Refinery–cum–Petrochemical Complex in Rajasthan on April 19, 2026, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the project’s crude distillation unit, forcing the government to postpone the ceremony.
Incident Details
The blaze erupted in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) in Pachpadra, Balotra, around 1:55 p.m., sending thick black smoke into the air. Sources told the company that a hydrocarbon leak from a valve/flange in a heat exchanger circuit triggered the fire. Firefighters brought the flames under control within hours, and authorities confirmed no casualties or serious injuries.
Project Significance
The 79,459‑crore HRRL refinery is India’s first greenfield integrated refinery‑cum‑petrochemical complex, a joint venture between HPCL and the Rajasthan government. Initially launched by Sonia Gandhi in 2013 and later relaunched by Modi in 2018, it aims to slash fuel imports and boost domestic energy security by processing 9 million tonnes of crude annually and producing gasoline, petrochemicals, and specialty products.
Aftermath and Probe
The Petroleum Ministry announced that Modi’s inauguration of the CDU has been put off “till further notice,” with a revised date to be announced later. An investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause and fix lapses, while Union officials have publicly downplayed safety concerns about the ageing 40,000‑barrel‑per‑day plant.
