A major fire broke out at the Pachpadra refinery in Rajasthan, just a day before its scheduled inauguration by Narendra Modi. The incident sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, raising concerns ahead of the high-profile event. According to initial reports, the blaze started in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) section of the refinery. Officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties, while emergency teams rushed to the site to contain the fire and assess the situation.

The Pachpadra refinery, located in the Balotra region, is a major energy project developed as a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Rajasthan government. It is India’s first greenfield integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex and is expected to play a key role in strengthening the country’s energy security.

Beyond fuel production, the refinery is designed to support downstream petrochemical industries, producing materials used in manufacturing products such as plastics, packaging, and automotive components. The project is also expected to boost industrial growth and create economic opportunities in the region.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and further updates are awaited.