Balotra: A massive fire broke out at the Pachpadra refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Balotra on Monday, just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate India’s first greenfield integrated refinery.
Thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the site as firefighters rushed to control the blaze. Officials said the cause of the fire remains unknown and the extent of damage has not been confirmed. It is unclear whether the incident will impact Tuesday’s inauguration programme. PM Modi was set to dedicate the ₹79,450-crore project to the nation on April 21. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, who reviewed preparations on April 13, had directed officials to ensure the event is organised “in a historic manner”.
The Pachpadra refinery, a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Rajasthan government, has a refining capacity of 9 million metric tonne per annum and petrochemical capacity of 2.4 MMTPA. With a Nelson Complexity Index of 17.0, it is designed to convert crude into high-value products and is billed as a major boost for the Marwar region’s economy.
The project has seen repeated delays and cost escalations. Foundation stones were laid by Sonia Gandhi in 2013 at ₹37,230 crore and by PM Modi in 2018 at ₹43,129 crore. The cost was revised to ₹79,459 crore in July 2025 under the Bhajanlal Sharma government.
BJP leaders blamed the Congress for stalling the project. Former state BJP chief Satish Poonia said, “Had the project not been stalled, Rajasthan would have benefited earlier, especially in times of crisis”. The Congress has previously cited technical hurdles and Covid disruptions. District officials are holding review meetings as security arrangements are tightened ahead of the PM’s visit.