Fire at Balotra’s Pachpadra refinery; inauguration by PM postponed
A statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said Tuesday's programme has now been postponed and a new date will be announced in due course.
A fire broke out at the HPCL Pachpadra refinery in Balotra on Monday afternoon — just a day before it was set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said Tuesday’s programme has now been postponed and a new date will be announced in due course.
“Due to an unfortunate fire incident today in the vicinity of the Crude Distillation Unit at the HRRL refinery, the scheduled dedication of the refinery by the Hon’ble PM on 21.04.2026 has been postponed. The fire has been brought under control. There are no reports of any casualties. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause(s) of the incident and to undertake necessary remedial measures. A revised date for the dedication will be announced in due course,” the statement read.
The affected unit is located about 800 metres from the venue where the PM was expected to address a public gathering. According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 2 pm in the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), where crude oil received through pipelines is processed and distributed to other units.
As soon as smoke was detected, employees activated the fire safety system and promptly evacuated the area. Around 20 fire brigade vehicles were pressed into service to curb the blaze and bring it under control. Officials confirmed that all employees were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported till the filing of this report.
Collector Sushil Kumar could not be reached for comment. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot posted on X: “I was deeply concerned to hear the news of the fire breaking out at the refinery in Pachpadra, Balotra. The refinery is a matter of pride for all Rajasthanis, a project whose inauguration is scheduled for tomorrow. Such an incident at this time is extremely unfortunate. I pray for the safety of everyone involved in this event”.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
