A day after the massive fire at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan's Balotra district, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited the site on Tuesday and conducted an extensive review of the situation. He held a detailed meeting with officials for nearly two-and-a-half hours and inspected the exact location where the fire had occurred.
The Chief Minister arrived at the refinery around Tuesday noon and was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Jogaram Patel and Chief Secretary V. Srinivas. Prior to Chief Minister Sharma's arrival, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and state investigative agencies had already reached the site.
Security was significantly enhanced at the refinery premises, with strict restrictions on entry at key gates. Officials from central and state agencies reached the site prior to the Chief Minister's arrival. Minister Jogaram Patel said a committee has been constituted to investigate the incident.
"Any technical shortcomings will be identified and rectified. Efforts are being made to make the refinery operational again at the earliest," he added. The fire broke out on Monday around 2 p.m. in the Crude Distillation Unit. Massive flames and thick smoke were visible from several kilometres away.
Firefighting teams worked for nearly two-and-a-half hours to bring the blaze under control. No casualties were reported. The refinery, built at an estimated cost of Rs 79,459 crore, was scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21.
However, the event was postponed following the incident. Extensive preparations were underway for more than a week. A large dome structure was erected at the public meeting venue, located around 800 metres from the refinery, with arrangements made for nearly two lakh people.
On Tuesday, dismantling of the temporary structures began. Officials indicated that only a limited portion of the refinery has been affected. Teams from the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) are currently assessing the extent of the damage.
Minister Patel added that a detailed technical report will be prepared and necessary corrective measures implemented. A new date for the refinery's inauguration is expected to be announced soon. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed the incident "unusual" for a new refinery and called for a thorough investigation, raising concerns over how such an incident could occur at a newly constructed refinery.